Paris Suburb Sees Brutal Antisemitic Assault on Jewish Resident wearing a kippah

A 65-year-old Jewish man was violently attacked and robbed in Livry-Gargan, a suburb northeast of Paris, in what authorities are investigating as an antisemitic assault.

The victim, Dubi Sitruck, was walking alone on Saturday morning when a dark gray Audi A3 with three occupants stopped beside him. Two men stepped out, initially asking for directions to the nearby town of Bondy. Moments later, one struck Sitruck in the face while the other ripped from his neck a gold chain bearing a Star of David pendant.

Sitruck, who was wearing a kippah at the time, sustained bruising, swelling, and bleeding around his left eye. He was taken to hospital for treatment, and later referred to forensic medicine specialists to assess both his physical injuries and psychological trauma.

In his police complaint, Sitruck described the assault as clearly motivated by antisemitism, pointing to his religious attire and the theft of a Jewish symbol.

The incident comes amid a surge in antisemitic violence in France since October 7. Just days earlier, in Lyon, a Jewish couple was threatened with death and subjected to antisemitic slurs after being identified by the man’s kippah. Police arrested two suspects in that case.

French Jewish community leaders have repeatedly warned of rising hostility toward Jews, urging authorities to bolster protections and bring perpetrators to justice.