Jewish vehicles carrying "Free Palestine" labels discovered in Haute-Savoie
In the picturesque town of Chamonix, located in the Haute-Savoie region, an unfortunate incident occurred overnight from Tuesday, August 19 to Wednesday, August 20. At least three cars, primarily belonging to Jewish tourists known in the town, were vandalized.
The vandalism took the form of "Free Palestine" graffiti written in orange paint, which has been considered an anti-Semitic act by CRIF (Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France). The perpetrators behind this graffiti vandalism remain unidentified, and the Gendarmerie are actively investigating the matter.
The incident was first reported by ICI Pays de Savoie, the former France Bleu, on Wednesday. The mayor of Chamonix, Nicolas Rubin, has expressed his regret over the vandalisms and has mentioned that the current international situation between Israel and Gaza might have contributed to the incident.
In response to the vandalisms, CRIF has condemned the act with the utmost firmness, stating that targeting Jewish families in France is unacceptable. They have expressed their disappointment and concern over the escalating anti-Semitic incidents in the country.
To deter and control further incidents, a increased presence of law enforcement has been decided in Chamonix. The mayor also mentioned that the vandalism might have been motivated by the tourists' identifiable attire. He emphasised that these tourists can be easily identified, which may aid the Gendarmerie in their investigations.
The mayor's statements and the ongoing investigations serve as a reminder of the importance of unity and respect in our diverse communities. The people of Chamonix and France as a whole stand against hate and discrimination, and are working towards maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all.
