Anti-Semitic Graffiti in Marseille Draws Condemnation
Marseille, France – A graffiti discovered on Wednesday morning in Marseille has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. The graffiti, covering the facade of a building in the 5th arrondissement, features the words "Marseille antisioniste" painted in black letters on each floor, accompanied by a Palestinian flag.
The graffiti was swiftly identified by the "Une Génération pour Marseille" collective, which denounced it as a "lamentable manipulation of the Palestinian cause" and called for the immediate restoration of the building. "In Marseille, there is no place for anti-Semitism or anti-Zionism! By hiding behind the mask of anti-Zionism, this anti-Semitic vandalism directly attacks the Jewish community of Marseille, to whom we offer our full support," said Sylvain Di Giovanni, the collective’s spokesperson, in a statement.
Political figures have also strongly condemned the graffiti:
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Renaud Muselier, President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region: "I strongly condemn the perpetrators of the vandalism of a building in the heart of Marseille, opposite La Timone. Anti-Zionism, an unbearable veneer for anti-Semitism, has no place in Marseille or the South region."
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Martine Vassal, President of the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolis: "The inscriptions on the facade of a building in front of La Timone in Marseille are unacceptable. Anti-Semitism, which often hides behind anti-Zionism, has no place in our city. Support to the Jewish community of Marseille."
The Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (Crif) Marseille-Provence condemned the "abject" acts. "Intolerable vandalism and inscriptions undoubtedly perpetrated by incorrigible fanatics in the heart of Marseille," said its president, Fabienne Bendayan. "Marseille is a cosmopolitan city that embodies the values of fraternity and living together. However, the importation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has crystallized tensions between communities," she added.
The Marseille police prefecture announced on Thursday morning that the police prefect had notified the Marseille public prosecutor under Article 40 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The Marseille city council stated that it had "immediately mobilized municipal services and contacted the condominium to have it erased as soon as possible." Despite the clean-up efforts, a police investigation has been opened into the "vandalism" to identify the suspect(s). According to sources, video surveillance footage obtained by law enforcement shows an individual rappelling down the facade of the vandalized building before fleeing on foot.
The anti-Semitic graffiti in Marseille has highlighted the ongoing tensions and divisions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While many express solidarity with the Palestinian cause, others fear that anti-Zionism can be used as a guise for anti-Semitism. The incident has also raised concerns about the safety and well-being of the Jewish community in Marseille.
