The olive tree, which stood for 14 years as a tribute to Ilan Halimi—who was brutally murdered in 2006—was found felled in a suburb of Paris. Macron expressed outrage over this "act of hatred," stating, “It’s an attempt to kill him a second time.” The local police are investigating the incident, ensuring that efforts are made to hold those accountable. Halimi was abducted by a gang, tortured, and killed for being Jewish, which sparked national outrage at the time.
The tree was part of several memorials dedicated to Halimi, and authorities confirmed it was discovered on Thursday, cut down and discarded. Macron emphasized that France will remember Halimi, asserting, “In the face of antisemitism, the Republic is always uncompromising.” Prime Minister François Bayrou echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need to combat antisemitic hatred diligently. This incident adds to a troubling trend of antisemitic attacks in France, including prior instances of Halimi's memorial being vandalized.
The tree was part of several memorials dedicated to Halimi, and authorities confirmed it was discovered on Thursday, cut down and discarded. Macron emphasized that France will remember Halimi, asserting, “In the face of antisemitism, the Republic is always uncompromising.” Prime Minister François Bayrou echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need to combat antisemitic hatred diligently. This incident adds to a troubling trend of antisemitic attacks in France, including prior instances of Halimi's memorial being vandalized.
