A Jewish French woman was allegedly raped, kidnapped, and threatened with murder by a man in Gennevilliers who reportedly sought revenge for Palestinians, French media reported on Tuesday night.
The 32-year-old assailant was charged on Tuesday with religiously motivated death threats and the use of narcotics, according to Le Parisien. BFMTV said that the rape allegation is still being investigated but the prosecution did believe that a kidnapping charge was warranted.
The woman, who, according to French media, met the man through a dating application in 2023, told police that she was raped and said to her mother that she was being held by the man at his apartment against her will.
Suspect sent texts to victim's mother, ex boyfriend
The suspect, according to Le Parisien, sent text messages to the victim’s mother and ex-boyfriend, telling her former partner that he wanted to “avenge Palestine.”
“Good luck. You will never find your daughter again; you will never see her again. I will prostitute your daughter,” the suspect allegedly texted the victim’s mother, according to Le Parisien.
The suspect, BFMTV reported, acknowledged the texts but said they were just provocations.
The reports of the alleged crimes were met with outrage by politicians and activists.
Hauts-de-Seine MP Elsa Faucillon said that the reported incident in her constituency was an antisemitic act and offered solidarity with the woman.
Hauts-de-Seine Senator Pierre Ouzoulias said that the incident provided new proof that “antisemitism is a terrible poison.”
National Rally President Marine Le Pen blamed far-left politicians for the failure to address the climate of antisemitism since October 7.
“I provide all my support to the victim and to our Jewish compatriots,” said Le Pen.
The Interministerial Delegation for the Fight against Racism, Antisemitism, and Anti-LGBT Hatred said on social media that “antisemitism, particularly under the guise of anti-Zionism, is everyone’s business in our Republic and must be fought tirelessly.”
Collectif Nous Vivrons, the “We Live” collective against racism and antisemitism formed the day after the October 7 massacre, said that the importation of the Israel-Hamas war into France could only create such events and that disinformation and agitation have put a target on the back of French Jews.