In a context of increasing anti-Semitic acts since the beginning of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the aggression suffered on March 1 by Marco S., a 62-year-old man wearing a kippah in front of his synagogue in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, had sparked particular emotion due to its extreme violence. The image of the victim’s bloodied face had been widely circulated. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin denounced it as “a new anti-Semitic attack” and an “inexcusable act.” The perpetrator, Fenndy F., was arrested a few days later and was supposed to be judged on March 8, but the hearing was postponed due to doubts about his mental health. However, he was eventually deemed fit to stand trial for “voluntary violence based on religious affiliation.”
During the trial on April 19 in the 23rd criminal chamber of the Paris court, Marco S., still visibly marked by the aggression, gave his version of the events. He explained that he was waiting for the synagogue to open on March 1, when Fenndy F. passed by him “in a strange manner” before returning a few minutes later. F. then accused Marco S. of killing people in Gaza, which led to a physical altercation where S. was punched and beaten unconscious. Two absent witnesses claim to have heard the attacker call the victim a “dirty Jew.” In contrast, Fenndy F. from the defendant’s box recounted a different version where he insulted S. for not being a “true Jew” and claimed that S. threw the first punch.
The trial took an absurd turn when the defendant, Fenndy F., began speaking about “Khazars” and “Edomites,” and claimed that he, as a Semite, could not be anti-Semitic. The defense lawyer for the victim, Franck Serfati, tried to navigate through the defendant’s confusing and incomprehensible arguments, which included references to ancestral heritage and the origins of Israel. Despite the conflicting narratives, it was clear that the attack was motivated by religious affiliation, highlighting the persistence of anti-Semitic sentiments and violence in society amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The case of Marco S. and Fenndy F. is just one example of the rise in anti-Semitic acts in France, with statistics showing a nearly four-fold increase in the past year. The attack on Marco S. outside his synagogue is a stark reminder of the prejudices and discrimination faced by Jewish individuals in France and around the world. The decision of the court to declare Fenndy F. fit to stand trial raises questions about the adequacy of mental health assessments in cases involving hate crimes, and the need for greater awareness and prevention of such acts in society.
Overall, the trial of Fenndy F. for the attack on Marco S. highlights the complex intersection of mental health, religious prejudice, and societal tensions. The conflicting testimonies and narratives presented in court reflect the broader challenges of addressing and combating hate crimes, especially in a climate of political and social unrest. As the trial concluded, the court’s decision on the case will be crucial in sending a message about the consequences of anti-Semitic violence and the importance of protecting religious freedoms and addressing discrimination in society.
