After the cutting down of the olive tree in honor of Ilan Halimi, a young French Jew murdered in 2006, in Seine-Saint-Denis, on the night of August 13 to 14. The Nice municipality planted a tree in his memory at the Music Pavilion, Jacques Cotta space this Thursday, September 4.
A new olive tree was planted by the mayor of Nice this Thursday, September 4. This symbolic tree can be found at the Music Pavilion, Jacques Cotta space, in tribute to Ilan Halimi, a young French Jew who was kidnapped and tortured to death in 2006. The honorary president of the LICRA, Alain Jakubowicz, encouraged all mayors of France to plant a tree in their commune in his honor, as is the case in the city of Nice.
“This simple yet immense gesture is not a random act. Today, we acknowledge it as an act of resistance. In the face of hatred, we will never forget or yield,” asserts Rudy Amsellem, president of the B’nai Brith René Goscinny association.
“In memory of Ilan Halimi, just as I once said, I am Charlie, I tell you today, I, Christian, a Catholic, I am Jewish too, and all French people should say the same,” concluded with fervor Christian Estrosi, mayor of Nice.
Other Initiatives Taken in France
The mayor’s initiative followed a national mobilization. The same is true for the association of Farah, a Muslim woman and friend of Ilan Halimi’s cousin, who replaced the olive tree in honor of the young man in Épinay-sur-Seine, in Seine-Saint-Denis.
Bordeaux, Lyon, and even La Baule responded to this felling by planting an olive tree. Nearby, in Menton, a tree was planted at the Parc du Pian, in the garden of peace where the spirit of Simone Veil rests.
Position of Anti-Semitism According to the Political Left-Right Divide
In its latest report on the fight against racism, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia, published in March 2025, the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) measured anti-Semitism by position on the left-right scale. From 2022 to 2024, the institution, accredited by the United Nations, measured the level of anti-Semitism in the broad sense.
According to the organization, anti-Semitism still peaks on the far right and among those close to the National Rally. In 2024, adherence to anti-Semitic prejudices was much higher on the far right than on the far left (56% compared to 27%).
Additionally, it is observed that supporters of the RN are more likely to adhere to these beliefs than those of France Insoumise and more numerous than those of Europe Écologie-Les Verts (55% compared to 40% and 29%).
