Paris: Statue of the Republic Defaced with Swastikas & Antisemitic Slogans

A statue of the Republic in Paris was discovered defaced with hateful graffiti on Monday morning, February 16th. The vandalism includes swastikas and targeted messages directed at individuals and institutions, prompting a police investigation and a planned cleanup operation.

Targeted Threats and Rising Tensions

The inscriptions discovered on the monument included the phrase “Tuez les Rothschild” (Kill the Rothschilds), “Mentalité allemande pour les pédos” (German mentality for pedophiles), and calls for the death penalty for both Jack Lang, a former Minister of Culture, and “l’État français” (the French State). Jack Lang, who recently stepped down as president of the Institut du monde arabe, is currently under preliminary investigation by the national financial prosecutor’s office regarding potential money laundering and tax fraud linked to Jeffrey Epstein.

Did You Know? The statue was previously targeted with graffiti on June 13, 2024, with slogans including “ACAB,” “Antifa,” “Ni*** la BAC,” and “Free Gaza.”

Yonathan Arfi, president of the Conseil représentatif des institutions juives de France (CRIF), stated that the resurgence of violent antisemitism on social media, particularly surrounding the Epstein affair, is linked to these acts. The Paris Centre town hall has announced it will file a complaint and initiate a cleanup of the statue and its base.

A Focal Point for Political Expression

The Place de la République has become a frequent site for demonstrations, particularly against the far right, and has seen repeated instances of graffiti on the statue. This latest incident follows a rally held the previous day at the Sorbonne University in Paris, honoring Quentin, a 23-year-old nationalist activist who died after an alleged “lynching” in Lyon on February 12th.

Expert Insight: The targeting of both public monuments and specific individuals with hateful messages underscores a growing climate of political polarization and the potential for escalating tensions. The connection drawn by CRIF’s president between online rhetoric and real-world acts of vandalism suggests a concerning trend of extremist views gaining traction.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez indicated on France Inter radio that the group La Jeune Garde, an antifascist organization, may be involved, stating that testimonies suggest potential participation by former members. However, he emphasized that the prosecutor will confirm the details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was written on the statue?

The statue was defaced with swastikas, the phrase “Tuez les Rothschild”, “Mentalité allemande pour les pédos”, and calls for the death penalty for Jack Lang and “l’État français.”

Is anyone under investigation in connection with this incident?

While no suspects have been identified, Jack Lang is currently under preliminary investigation by the national financial prosecutor’s office regarding potential financial crimes. The Interior Minister suggested a possible link to the group La Jeune Garde, but this remains unconfirmed.

Has the statue been targeted before?

Yes, on June 13, 2024, the statue was covered in graffiti including the slogans “ACAB,” “Antifa,” “Ni*** la BAC,” and “Free Gaza.”

As Paris grapples with these acts of vandalism, what steps might be taken to address the underlying tensions and prevent similar incidents in the future?