Lyon-II University has announced the suspension of one of its lecturers following criticism over a post in which he described a list of personalities as “genocidal and to be boycotted,” most of whom are of Jewish faith, and shared an image containing antisemitic stereotypes.
In a statement, the university explained: “Following a report submitted to the Public Prosecutor of Lyon on 25 November, new elements have led Lumière Lyon-II University to take precautionary suspension measures against Professor Julien Théry.” The statement referred to a recent social media post and added that “the content of the remarks and the visual (…) is not compatible with the values of the Republic or the university.”
The lecturer’s temporary removal will remain in effect “pending a decision by the competent disciplinary section,” which will be convened “as soon as possible by the university president.”
At the end of November 2025, the International League Against Racism and Antisemitism (LICRA) highlighted a Facebook post by the medieval history lecturer, dated 20 September. The post listed 20 names under the heading “20 genocidal figures to boycott under all circumstances”, including media presenter Arthur and actors Charlotte Gainsbourg and Philippe Torreton, alongside their photos.
The day before, these 20 individuals had published an open letter in Le Figaro to President Emmanuel Macron, who was preparing to recognise the Palestinian state on behalf of France, asking him to demand the release of all hostages held in Gaza and the dismantling of Hamas. The lecturer’s post in reaction to this letter drew sharp criticism, with the Minister of Education describing it as “deeply scandalous.”
The student union UNI Lyon unearthed a crude montage from the lecturer’s account, dated January 2024, which referenced Israel and Palestine and repeated antisemitic clichés. Laurent Wauquiez, leader of the LR parliamentary group and former president of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, condemned it as “another lapse.”
In its statement, Lyon-II University reminded the public that it has a dedicated reporting unit and a designated officer for “racism and antisemitism”.
