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Israeli ambassador compares France’s far-left leader’s rhetoric to Hitler as antisemitism surges
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PARIS, France — Israel’s ambassador to France says far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s rhetoric against Jews «reminds me of Hitler,» warning that foreign influence is fueling a surge in antisemitism that has some French Jews hiding their identities to survive daily life.
France recorded 1,320 antisemitic acts in 2025 — triple the 436 incidents in 2022 — but a senior member of the Jewish community leaders told Fox News Digital they refuse to retreat, even as the attacks and incidents keep coming.
Israeli Ambassador to France, Joshua Zarka, says France is home to Europe’s largest Muslim community and is contributing to a high volume of antisemitic incidents reported across the country each day. France also has Europe’s largest Jewish community.
GLOBAL RISE IN ANTISEMITISM LEAVES JEWISH COMMUNITY ISOLATED, RABBI SAYS WORLD AT ‘A TIPPING POINT’
Leader of French left-wing La France Insoumise (LFI) party Jean-Luc Melenchon delivers a speech during an electoral campaign meeting of the local LFI candidate for French municipal elections in Marseille, southern France, on March 7, 2026. (Miguel Medina / AFP via Getty Images)
«The number of events is extremely high — not because the French government does not fight it, but because there is this base in which antisemitism is growing,» he said, due to foreign influence, which he claimed comes from Iran, Russia, Turkey and Qatar.
While he says those state actors are fueling the fire of Jew-hatred from the outside, certain French political actors exploit antisemitism for the purpose of getting more votes. According to Zarka, foremost among them is the far-left party La France Insoumise (LFI).
«The way [LFI leader] Jean-Luc Mélenchon speaks in front of a crowd reminds me of Hitler. The way he uses the idea of uniting against one enemy by speaking of Israel is similar to the way Hitler used to speak about the Jews,» Zarka said.
In February, the Human Rights League criticized Mélenchon after he mocked the pronunciation of Jewish names, including that of MEP Raphaël Glucksmann.
Palestinian protestors wave flags with some seemingly making Nazi-like salutes during a soccer game between Israel and Paraguay during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Parc des Princes in Paris on July 27, 2024. (GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP via Getty Images)
Mélenchon previously wrote on his blog that «antisemitism remains residual in France,» remarks critics said downplayed a surge in Jew-hatred following Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacre in Israel.
Fox News Digital repeatedly contacted Mélenchon’s media adviser for comment but did not receive a response.
Zarka added that over the past three years there has been a shift in the Jewish community’s perception of what was once considered the extreme right, with many no longer viewing the National Rally, formerly led by Marine Le Pen, as such.
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Protesters hold signs reading «raped at 12 because Jewish» during a demonstration called by associations including SOS Racisme and the Women’s Foundation to denounce antisemitism, in Paris on June 20, 2024, after the alleged antisemetic gang rape of a 12-year-old girl in Paris’ suburb of Courbevoie. (ZAKARIA ABDELKAFI/AFP via Getty Images)
«Let’s not forget that [National Rally president] Jordan Bardella went to Israel and, at Yad Vashem, made a formal commitment to fight antisemitism, be it from the right or the left, and that is significant… that is sinking into the mind of the Jewish community,» Zarka said.»
Recent incidents include the partial cutting down on Jan. 12 in Lyon of a tree planted in memory of Ilan Halimi, who was abducted and murdered in a 2006 antisemitic attack. On Feb. 9, a young boy wearing a kippah was assaulted by a group of five individuals, one of whom allegedly held a knife to his throat. Ten days later, acid was sprayed in two dining rooms of a kosher restaurant in Paris’s 17th arrondissement. On Apr. 15, racist and antisemitic graffiti targeted three high schools in the Montpellier metropolitan area.
El Al’s offices in Paris were vandalized, showing graffiti on the building’s exterior. (Noemie Olive/Reuters)
In March, two brothers were arrested in connection with what authorities described as a «deadly and antisemitic» plot after police discovered a semi-automatic weapon, a bottle of hydrochloric acid and an Islamic State flag in their vehicle.
Rabbi Elie Lemmel was targeted in two antisemitic attacks, including last June in Deauville, where he was punched in the stomach. Days later, he was attacked again in Neuilly-sur-Seine while sitting at a café terrace, when a Palestinian from Gaza struck him with a chair.
Lemmel told Fox News Digital he had almost never faced aggression before, but believes the post-Oct. 7 conflict has intensified tensions. He said he understands those who choose to be more discreet and would never judge them.
«You have to be vigilant,» he said. «Unfortunately, some people see a kippah and it bothers them. Those who want to do harm will always find reasons.
«If we start hiding, it is the beginning of the end,» he added. «I have always worn a kippah, and that is why I continue to wear it.»
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Yonathan Arfi, president of the Conseil Représentatif des Institutions juives de France (CRIF), said some Jewish families now forgo displaying mezuzahs or use different names on mobile apps to avoid being identified.
«On the one hand, there is a rise in antisemitism that leads to precautionary behavior,» Arfi told Fox News Digital. «On the other hand, Jewish life remains more vibrant than ever, with synagogues full and more kosher restaurants than ever before.»
«We must not offer antisemitic terrorists and those driven by hatred our fear and withdrawal as a trophy,» said Arfi. «Wherever possible, Jewish life must continue openly and proudly.»
French riot police use tear gas to disperse demonstrators during a pro-Palestinian rally at Republique Square in Paris on Oct. 12, 2023. (Ibrahim Ezzat/Anadolu)
Immigration to Israel, he said, should nevertheless be seen as a warning sign that some Jews no longer see a future in France.
Historically, French immigration to Israel averaged between 1,500 and 2,000 people annually after the Six-Day War. The figure peaked at around 8,000 annually between 2012 and 2015, fell to about 1,000 in 2023, then rose again to more than 2,000 in 2024 and 3,500 in 2025. The Jewish Agency for Israel estimates roughly 4,000 immigrants from France in 2026.
The Israeli ambassador to Paris noted that French authorities take combating antisemitism seriously, and therefore the country remains «a relatively safe place,» while urging Israelis to exercise caution when traveling to other European countries such as Spain, Belgium and even the Netherlands, «where antisemitism flourishes.»
French President Emmanuel Macron addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York on Sept. 23, 2025. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)
In February, President Emmanuel Macron denounced the «antisemitic hydra» that had crept into «every crack» of French society during a ceremony commemorating Ilan Halimi, a Jewish man kidnapped and tortured to death by the Gang of Barbarians in 2006.
«In 20 years, and despite the resolute efforts of our police officers, gendarmes, judges, teachers and elected officials, the antisemitic hydra has kept advancing,» Macron said, according to Le Monde.
«Constantly assuming new faces, it has insinuated itself into the heart of our societies, into every crevice, too often accompanied by that same pact of cowardice: to keep silent, to refuse to see,» he continued.
Macron also condemned the «Islamist antisemitism» behind the Oct. 7 Hamas-led massacre, as well as «far-left antisemitism,» which he said «rivals that of the far right.»
He added that antisemitism increasingly «uses the mask of anti-Zionism to advance quietly.»
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Marine Le Pen and deputies Sebastien Chenu and Jordan Bardella participate in a march against antisemitism from the Esplanade des Invalides to the Senate in Paris on Nov. 12, 2023. (Antoine Gyori/Corbis via Getty Images)
Even so, bilateral ties with Israel are not without friction, with Zarka disclosing that the government of French President Emmanuel Macron refused to allow U.S. military overflights carrying weapons to Israel during the war against Iran.
«The French made the decision not to provide us with an aerial bridge for American weapon shipments to fly over during the war against Iran,» he said.
It was the second time France had denied such a request, the first occurring during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the envoy noted.
anti semitism, france, israel, europe
INTERNACIONAL
World-famous Catholic shrine torched, ‘Devil in a skirt’ scrawled on Virgin Mary statue
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A man has been arrested after one of the world’s most famous Catholic pilgrimage sites was vandalized and partially set on fire, with a statue of the Virgin Mary defaced and the words «Devil in a skirt» scrawled across its pedestal in black, according to reports.
Bosnian police arrested a suspect Tuesday in connection with the overnight vandalism and arson at the Shrine of Our Lady in Medjugorje, according to Vatican News.
Authorities have not released the man’s identity as investigators work to determine a motive and whether he was responsible for other incidents reported at the shrine that same night, the outlet said.
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Police were first called around 4:30 a.m. on July 27 after the face and hands of the statue of the Virgin Mary on Apparition Hill, also known as Podbrdo, were found covered in black paint. (Associated Press)
Police were called around 4:30 a.m. on July 27 after the face and hands of the statue of the Virgin Mary on Apparition Hill, also known as Podbrdo, were found covered in black paint.
The pedestal at the foot of the statue was spray-painted with the English phrase «Devil in a skirt,» while other graffiti and the statue’s hands were painted black.
An outdoor altar nearby was also set on fire near St. James Church, the outlet said.
Surveillance footage reportedly at that location showed a man pouring what investigators believe was gasoline onto the altar before setting it ablaze. The fire was extinguished.
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Police were first called around 4:30 a.m. on July 27 after the face and hands of the statue of the Virgin Mary on Apparition Hill, also known as Podbrdo, were found covered in black paint. (Associated Press)
The two attacks came just days before Medjugorje’s annual youth prayer festival, which is expected to draw more than 50,000 pilgrims from around the world.
In a statement Tuesday, the Medjugorje Parish Office condemned the vandalism and urged Catholics to respond with «prayer, fasting, and forgiveness» rather than anger.
«It is with great sadness that we received the news of the act of vandalism,» the parish said.
Church officials also said cleanup and repairs began immediately so the damaged prayer sites could once again welcome pilgrims.
«The affected areas are being cleaned and restored as quickly as possible,» the parish said, thanking volunteers for helping preserve the shrine as «a place of encounter with God, a place of peace.»
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Church officials also said cleanup and repairs began immediately so the damaged prayer sites could once again welcome pilgrims. (Associated Press)
Rather than calling for retribution, the parish urged the faithful to pray for those responsible.
«We pray for the conversion of the hearts of those who committed this act,» the statement said, asking that God «touch them with His grace and lead them on the path of goodness.»
The parish also appealed for peace, encouraging Catholics «not to return evil for evil,» but instead to bear witness through «love, forgiveness and hope.»
Despite the attack, officials said the shrine remains open, and its regular schedule of Mass and prayer services will continue as planned.
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Located about 85 miles southwest of Sarajevo, Medjugorje became one of the world’s best-known Catholic pilgrimage destinations after six children and teenagers reported seeing apparitions of the Virgin Mary there in 1981.
The Vatican gave the green light for Catholics to continue flocking to Medjugorje offering its approval for devotion at one of the most contested sites of Roman Catholic practice in recent years, The Associated Press reported Tuesday.
roman catholic, religion, vandalism
INTERNACIONAL
Honduras: ENEE advierte que se agota el tiempo para rescatar la estatal mientras Congreso aplaza reforma eléctrica
El gerente de la Empresa Nacional de Energía Eléctrica (ENEE), Guillermo Peña Panting, alertó este martes que el tiempo para rescatar financieramente a la estatal se reduce mientras la reforma al sector eléctrico continúa en discusión en el Congreso Nacional, escenario que, según afirmó, prolonga las pérdidas económicas y retrasa inversiones consideradas indispensables para modernizar el sistema energético del país.
El funcionario sostuvo que, aunque las conversaciones entre las diferentes fuerzas políticas han permitido avanzar en el análisis de la iniciativa, la empresa necesita que las decisiones se adopten con prontitud para poner en marcha cambios estructurales que permitan reducir pérdidas, fortalecer la infraestructura y atraer nuevas inversiones al sector.
«Esperamos que siga la conversación y que se presente el momento para la aprobación. Vemos que hay un espacio para seguir mejorando y tenemos que esperar; ese es el camino, el diálogo abierto y la confianza fortalecida“, manifestó.
De acuerdo con Peña Panting, la estatal enfrenta importantes desafíos financieros que requieren una reorganización del sector eléctrico para habilitar nuevos mecanismos de inversión, especialmente en las áreas de transmisión, distribucióny generación de energía.
El gerente explicó que la separación de las unidades operativas permitiría que cada una pueda gestionar proyectos con mayor agilidad, además de concentrar esfuerzos en la reducción de pérdidas técnicas y no técnicas que afectan las finanzas de la empresa.
Asimismo, sostuvo que contar con un sistema energético más eficiente contribuiría a mejorar la competitividad del país y facilitaría la llegada de nuevas inversiones nacionales y extranjeras.
«Al no haber una oferta energética competitiva en el país se limita la posibilidad de inversión“, afirmó.
El titular de la ENEE recordó que la empresa registra pérdidas cercanas a 40 millones de lempiras diarios, por lo que actualmente se ejecutan medidas para disminuir gastos, reorganizar las finanzas y reducir el endeudamiento.
No obstante, advirtió que esas acciones administrativas no serán suficientes si no se aprueba una reforma integral que permita transformar el funcionamiento del sector eléctrico.
«Si no tomamos las decisiones difíciles vamos a seguir en este problema, y lo que seguirá creciendo no es solo la deuda, sino también la presión para las finanzas públicas del Estado“, expresó.
Mientras el proyecto continúa en discusión legislativa, la estatal asegura que mantiene trabajos de mantenimiento de líneas, reestructuración de circuitos y otras acciones operativas orientadas a mejorar la calidad del servicio y disminuir las pérdidas.
Por su parte, el jefe de bancada del Partido Liberal, Jorge Cálix, reconoció que la reforma energética es necesaria para Honduras, pero afirmó que su bancada no respaldará el proyecto sin antes analizarlo a profundidad y presentar una contrapropuesta.
El congresista sostuvo que los liberales apoyarán únicamente aquellas disposiciones que consideren beneficiosas para la población y propondrán modificaciones en los aspectos que, a su juicio, puedan mejorarse.
«No vamos a salir corriendo, sabemos que es un tema urgente, pero justamente por eso lo vamos a hacer despacio y con buena letra“, declaró.
Cálix explicó que la bancada consultó a especialistas internacionales de Guatemala, Panamá, Costa Rica y El Salvadorpara conocer experiencias sobre reformas energéticas antes de definir una postura definitiva.
Aunque ambas partes coinciden en la necesidad de transformar el sector eléctrico, mantienen diferencias sobre la velocidad con la que debe aprobarse la iniciativa.
Mientras la ENEE sostiene que cada día de retraso incrementa las pérdidas económicas y dificulta el rescate financiero de la empresa, el Partido Liberal insiste en que una o dos semanas adicionales de análisis permitirán construir una propuesta más sólida y evitar decisiones apresuradas que puedan afectar a los consumidores y al sistema energético nacional.
Corresponsal:Desde Tegucigalpa, Honduras
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South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden fended off a primary challenge from businessman and Bitcoin evangelist Toby Doeden on Tuesday, winning the first gubernatorial primary runoff in state history and advancing to the November general election.
The Associated Press called the race for Rhoden within minutes of final polls closing. He had received 70.5% of the vote compared with Doeden’s 29.5% at the time it was called, with approximately 25% of the expected vote counted.
The election marked the first time South Dakota voters were asked to settle a gubernatorial nomination through a primary runoff. State law requires a runoff between the two leading candidates when no contender for governor, U.S. Senate or U.S. House receives at least 35% of the primary vote.
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South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden (left) and primary challenger Republican candidate for governor Toby Doeden (right) (Toby Doeden for South Dakota/Getty Images)
The head-to-head contest followed a four-way June primary in which Doeden finished first with 30.6% of the vote and Rhoden placed second with 25.2%, leaving both short of the 35% needed to secure the nomination outright. Rhoden became governor in early 2025 after Kristi Noem left to join the Trump administration, while Doeden entered the race as a businessman and political newcomer.
Doeden also built a public profile as a Bitcoin evangelist. He said he began investing «very, very heavily» in the cryptocurrency around 2020 after devoting roughly 500 hours to researching it, eventually converting nearly all the cash reserves from his companies that he did not expect to need into Bitcoin.
«I will buy bitcoin forever, every single day,» Doeden previously said on his podcast, according to the South Dakota Searchlight. «We mine bitcoin, we buy bitcoin.»
Doeden also supported legislation that would have allowed the South Dakota Investment Council, which manages public employee pension funds and other state investments, to invest in Bitcoin. He went further by calling for South Dakota to establish a state Bitcoin reserve – a move state investment and budget officials opposed.
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Tuesday’s winner advances to face former Democratic state Sen. Dan Ahlers in November. South Dakota has not had a Democratic governor since Harvey Wollman left office in 1979, and no Democrat has been elected to the office there since Richard Kneip won re-election in 1974. Wollman became governor automatically as lieutenant governor when Kneip resigned.
In the run-up to Tuesday’s primary runoff, property taxes were among the defining issues of the campaign. Doeden campaigned on eliminating property taxes, while Rhoden’s campaign portrayed Doeden’s proposal as fiscally reckless, arguing it could leave local governments and schools with a major funding shortfall.
Meanwhile, Rhoden’s campaign highlighted other tax relief measures that the governor signed back in March, which Rhoden’s campaign website describes as the «largest» property tax cut in the state’s history.
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden speaks during a rally at Mount Rushmore National Memorial on July 03, 2026 in Keystone, South Dakota. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
During the race, Doeden portrayed Rhoden as part of South Dakota’s entrenched political class, declaring after the June primary that «the career politicians told me» an outsider could not break through against three longtime officeholders.
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Rhoden pushed back on the attack, saying Doeden was trying to «make hay» out of calling him a career politician and describing that characterization as «such a warped viewpoint,» during an interview with the South Dakota Public Broadcasting network. Rhoden argued that his years in the Legislature gave him practical experience writing laws and then returning home to live under them.
President Donald Trump did not publicly weigh in with an endorsement in the runoff, according to a review by Fox News Digital. Trump thanked Rhoden by name during his July 3 remarks at Mount Rushmore but did not mention the governor’s race. Doeden, meanwhile, campaigned as a «fierce Trump supporter» who said he would help implement the president’s «America First agenda.»
south dakota, gubernatorial, state and local primaries, elections, politics
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