A criminal investigation has been started in France after strictly Orthodox Jews, mainly from Britain, had the words “Free Palestine” spray-painted on their cars while holidaying in the Alps, reports The Times.
Jewish organisations denounced what they said was the latest in a string of antisemitic acts in Europe this summer.
Police said that “Free Palestine” was sprayed in orange paint on four cars in the Alpine resort of Chatel, although Nicolas Rubin, the mayor, said five vehicles had been damaged.
A man from Vienna whose vehicle was also vandalised told Ynet: “It’s a horrifying feeling and the police are not taking the case seriously.”
Ynet, an Israeli newspaper, quoted one of the victims as saying nine cars had been vandalised. Many of the victims were said to be from Stamford Hill, north London.
Orthodox Jews, including many from Britain, have been holidaying in the French Alps over the summer season for decades and represent up to 20 per cent of tourists in some resorts at this time of year. A tour operator told Le Monde in 2019 that they opted for the mountains because their religious beliefs barred them from taking seaside holidays where they would be forced to rub shoulders with tourists in swimsuits.
Rubin said the owners of the cars attacked in his resort were identifiable as Jewish because of their clothing. He described the attack as “sad and disappointing”.
Read more of this report from The Times.