Robert Ejnes, director of CRIF—the umbrella organization for French Jewry—spoke in a recent interview about the deep insecurity sweeping the Jewish community since the October 7 massacre. “I don’t know a single family that isn’t talking about the possibility of moving to Israel,” he stated.
Since the October attack, antisemitism in France has sharply escalated, leaving many Jews fearful for their safety. Ejnes noted that the far-left has made Gaza a central talking point in their political campaigns, which he says fuels hatred toward both Israel and Jews.
“That’s why we’ve seen so many antisemitic attacks,” he explained. “Wherever Jews live in France today, they feel unsafe.”
Although not everyone will ultimately make aliyah, Ejnes emphasized that the issue is now a serious topic in every household. “This doesn’t mean everyone will take that step—it’s a difficult decision—but the idea is very much on the table. We’ve lived in France for over 2,000 years, and there’s a deep sense of belonging here. Even after the Dreyfus Affair and the Holocaust, Jews stayed,” he said.