The Jewish community of Bordeaux planted an olive tree to denounce antisemitism and to mark the release of the hostages.
An olive tree was planted in front of the Grand Synagogue of Bordeaux in memory of all the victims of antisemitism. For the Jewish community, this gesture also symbolises renewed hope following the release of hostages in Gaza in recent days.
For the occasion, CRIF Bordeaux-Aquitaine and the Bordeaux Israelite Consistory organised a small ceremony around the planting of the tree. It was a way to pay tribute to Ilan Halimi and Avidan Torgeman, a native of Bordeaux who died in the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023.
The choice of this tree is rich in symbolism, starting with the location, as explained by Francis Barokel, President of the Bordeaux Consistory: “It is important because we are right in front of the wall with the names of those who were deported 80 years ago. So, inevitably, there is a strong connection with today.”
There is also a connection with the vandalism of the tree planted in memory of Ilan Halimi, who was killed two months ago in the Paris region. Albert Massiah, President of CRIF Bordeaux-Aquitaine, said: “It is symbolic. A branch was cut off, an attempt was made to destroy the memory, but our response is simple and strong: to plant again and again, so that the trees become a forest where we come together and educate.”
While the Jewish community in Bordeaux experiences few antisemitic acts, according to its leaders, it remains vigilant and is not immune. “Recently, a foreign student was subjected to antisemitic harassment and insults. Fortunately, her school’s management acted quickly by expelling the perpetrator and reporting the matter to the public prosecutor,” recalls Albert Massiah.
Xavier Darrieutord, President of the association Les Amis d’Israël, said: “We are concerned because today it is the Jewish community, but tomorrow it might be the Christian community. We are all in the same boat. We feel affected by what is happening, which is why we are here. Whenever we can, we come to show solidarity and share our concerns.”
In the first six months of the year, the Ministry of the Interior recorded 646 antisemitic acts, twice as many as in 2023 before the Hamas attacks of 7 October.
