Irish tourist threatens to shoot Australian-Jewish couple in France

An Australian-Jewish couple's holiday in south-east France earlier this month turned into a terrifying ordeal when a verbal altercation with an Irish tourist escalated into violent antisemitic threats. The incident, captured on video by the female victim, began innocuously when the couple, shopping in a supermarket, encountered a man they identified only as 'Paddy'. The man initiated a conversation about football after noticing the husband wearing a French national team jersey and hearing the couple speak English. The initial banter, which included the Irishman disparaging his own national team, took a dark turn when the woman explained the real reason her husband would not wear an Irish shirt: the Irish government's anti-Israel policies. At this point, the man's demeanor changed completely. He became aggressive and stated, 'We all agree with that,' in reference to the policies. The situation then rapidly deteriorated. The man launched into a vile antisemitic tirade, telling the couple, 'it's a shame Hitler didn't finish the job.' As the woman began recording on her phone, the threats became more direct and violent. The footage shows the man telling them, 'You get the f*** away before I put a f***ing bullet in your head.' The couple were left deeply shaken by the encounter.

The video of the attack was shared by the Australian Jewish Association (AJA) on the social media platform X, bringing the incident to international attention. The AJA President, Robert Gregory, confirmed the couple's distressed state, describing them as 'understandably shaken' but doing well considering the circumstances. He emphasized that the couple were 'proud Jewish Australians who did absolutely nothing to deserve this.' Gregory called for urgent action, stating that every threat of antisemitic violence must be taken seriously and that authorities should investigate the matter urgently and take decisive action against those responsible. He also issued a warning for Jewish travelers in Europe to exercise caution and remain vigilant, highlighting a broader concern for safety.

The incident prompted a swift and strong response from the French government, with multiple officials condemning the attack. France's minister for gender equality and the fight against discrimination, Aurore Bergé, addressed the video directly, calling it a revelation of a 'chilling and unacceptable level of violence.' She linked the government's response to a heightened state of mobilization, particularly since the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel, and pledged that France would remain mobilized for as long as necessary to ensure no one suffers hatred because of their origin or identity. Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises Serge Papin also issued a statement reinforcing France's image as a welcoming land open to all, regardless of nationality or religion. He stressed that no tourist should be targeted, threatened, or discriminated against because of who they are or what they believe. The official condemnations serve to underscore the severity with which the French state views the incident and its commitment to combating antisemitism and ensuring the safety of all visitors.