France Warns Rising Anti-Religious Hatred ‘Threatens Social Stability’

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

PARIS (Worthy News) – French authorities have warned that rising anti-religious hatred is threatening “the very balance of our society,” with Jews and Christians suffering the largest number of reported attacks in France.

A new Interior Ministry report found that antisemitic incidents accounted for about 53 percent of all anti-religious acts recorded in 2025, while anti-Christian incidents represented another 34 percent.

Anti-Muslim acts, though fewer in number, also rose sharply.

The ministry said anti-religious incidents have increased significantly over the past decade, with a sharp surge following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza.

ANTISEMITIC INCIDENTS REMAIN HIGHEST

“These anti-religious acts undermine freedom of conscience and the free exercise of religion,” the ministry said. “They weaken national cohesion. They endanger the very balance of our society.”

Antisemitic incidents accounted for the largest share of anti-religious acts recorded in France in 2025.

Authorities recorded about 1,320 antisemitic incidents, representing roughly 53 percent of all reported anti-religious acts nationwide.

The ministry said antisemitic incidents surged after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, with cases jumping more than 1,200 percent between September and October of that year.

PHYSICAL VIOLENCE TRIPLED

Although the number of incidents declined slightly in 2025 from the record levels seen in 2023, officials said antisemitic acts remain at historically high levels.

Physical violence against Jewish people has tripled since 2022, rising from 42 incidents to 126 in 2025, according to the report.

Anti-Christian incidents represented the second-largest category of anti-religious acts.

French authorities recorded 843 anti-Christian incidents in 2025, an increase of 9 percent from the previous year and about 34 percent of all anti-religious cases.

ATTACKS ON CHRISTIANS INCREASE

While most incidents involved vandalism or attacks on churches and religious property, attacks against individuals rose sharply.

The ministry reported a 70 percent increase in attacks on Christians, including a doubling of physical assaults targeting members of the Christian community and church leaders.

Authorities also noted a sharp rise in disruptions of religious services and threats against worshippers.

Anti-Muslim incidents rose dramatically as well, with authorities recording 326 cases in 2025, an increase of 88 percent from 2024.

ANTI-ISLAM VIOLENCE SPREADING

The ministry said attacks against individuals increased by more than 150 percent, while threats and intimidation rose sharply during the year.

Officials linked some of the increase to tensions surrounding public debates over Islam and religious expression, as well as improved reporting mechanisms.

Critics have also raised concerns that migration from predominantly Muslim countries has added to religious tensions, although the report itself did not draw that conclusion.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said combating anti-religious hatred has become a national priority.

MORE SECURITY MEASURES

The report noted that France has invested more than 47.8 million euros ($55.2 million) since 2015 to help secure nearly 1,000 places of worship through surveillance systems, anti-intrusion measures, and other security improvements.

Authorities said security training and awareness programs for religious communities will continue in 2026.

France seeks to counter what officials described as a growing threat to religious freedom and social cohesion.

Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.