Paris, France — Authorities are investigating a vandalism incident that targeted a Holocaust memorial and two synagogues in Paris, leaving the community outraged. Between Friday night and Saturday morning, the Wall of the Righteous, alongside other significant sites, was splashed with green paint, obscuring the names of 3,900 individuals honored for their efforts to rescue Jews during World War II.

The vandalism occurred during the early hours of Saturday, when a man dressed in black was captured on CCTV throwing paint on the memorial located in the Marais district. Reports indicate that the suspect also targeted two synagogues and a popular Israeli restaurant, Chez Marianne. A can of green paint was discovered at one of the sites, prompting police to launch an investigation.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo took to social media to denounce the act, stating that anti-Semitism has no place in the city. She assured residents that city workers would promptly restore the defaced sites and indicated that a formal complaint would be filed to address the incident.

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau echoed this condemnation, labeling the vandalism as “odious acts” aimed at the Jewish community. He highlighted the need for heightened security at Jewish sites, particularly with the Jewish holiday of Shavuot approaching, and called for measures that would be both visible and reassuring to the community.

This incident is not an isolated occurrence. The Wall of the Righteous has previously faced vandalism, including an incident last year where red handprints were sprayed on the memorial. Authorities linked that act to individuals allegedly associated with Russian intelligence. It reflects a broader trend of antisemitic acts in France, which some officials assert are exacerbated by disinformation campaigns.

In autumn 2023, a similar act caught the attention of authorities when 250 blue Stars of David were painted on buildings across Paris. The French Foreign Ministry expressed concern over a reported network of bots amplifying these images, framing it as part of a strategic disinformation effort linked to foreign interference.

The police are actively pursuing leads to identify the perpetrator of the latest incident, emphasizing the ongoing threat to Jewish cultural sites in Paris. Community leaders have called for stronger measures to protect these important landmarks, as antisemitism continues to be a pressing issue in the region.