Students from the Alliance Israélite Universelle (AIU) school in Pavillons-sous-Bois attended a performance at the La Scala theatre as part of the Scala–Région Île-de-France programme. During his introductory remarks, La Scala’s director and shareholder, Frédéric Biessy, delivered a speech with political overtones in which he criticised several international leaders, including Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Benjamin Netanyahu, drawing applause and cheers from the audience.
In front of an audience of secondary school students, this political intervention may have contributed to the atmosphere that subsequently developed during the performances. Students from the AIU and from Pasteur High School in Neuilly-sur-Seine reported being subjected to hostile remarks and unacceptable behaviour, including chants of “Free Palestine”.
After months of preparation and rehearsals for the competition, the AIU’s first-year students participating in the project alongside pupils from other schools were ultimately unable to complete their performance.
Jewish organisations have mobilised in response to these incidents. The Unified Jewish Social Fund (FSJU) issued a statement stressing that “responsibility, solidarity, and the protection of students must be upheld to the highest standard.” It added: “The FSJU is monitoring this matter in close cooperation with the relevant education authorities, private education services, the management of the institution, and the leadership of the AIU, with the aim of safeguarding the interests of the schools in our network, as well as those of students and their families.”
The CRIF also acknowledged the public apology issued by Frédéric Biessy. In his letter, he wrote: “I wrongly framed my remarks in a geopolitical context, criticising certain international leaders such as Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu. Political statements have no place before classes of first-year secondary school students, and I regret having made them. I also understand that my words may have shocked, hurt, or caused discomfort. For that, I apologise.”
What followed this speech illustrates once again a recurring pattern of antisemitism among young people: the targeting of Jewish students over the situation in Gaza, effectively holding them collectively responsible for a conflict taking place thousands of miles away.
