Hatred Leaves Its Mark

Holocaust Memorial in Lyon Defaced With ‘Free Gaza’ Slogan

Holocaust memorial in Lyon, France defaced with 'Free Gaza' slogan, sparking outrage from officials and Jewish community amid rising antisemitic incidents across the country.

Lara Sukster Mosheyof

AUG 31, 2025 10:18

2 min read

A Holocaust memorial in Lyon, France, has been vandalized with the words “Free Gaza”, an act city officials are calling “intolerable” and a stark reminder of rising antisemitism across the country.

The defacement was discovered over the weekend on a plaque inaugurated only months ago to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The inscription was carved directly into the surface of the monument, drawing swift condemnation from French leaders and Jewish organizations.

Mayor Gregory Doucet denounced the incident in strong terms:

“The vandalism of the Holocaust Memorial in Lyon is an intolerable act. I condemn it and express my full solidarity with memory associations, survivors, and their descendants. The perpetrators will be sought and prosecuted. Lyon stands firm against hatred, antisemitism, and racism.”

Local authorities confirmed that restoration work on the memorial began immediately. Jean-Olivier Viout, president of Lyon’s Holocaust Memorial association, has filed a formal complaint with city hall.

The incident comes against the backdrop of a sharp increase in antisemitic acts across France. Government figures show nearly 700 antisemitic incidents were reported in the first half of 2025 alone, one of the highest levels in recent years.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar reacted on social media, criticizing French authorities for failing to curb the trend:

“France should wake up!” he wrote, recalling how the U.S. ambassador was previously rebuked for raising concerns about antisemitism in the country.

France is home to the world’s third-largest Jewish community, after Israel and the United States. Community leaders warn that each new incident further erodes the sense of safety among French Jews, even as officials pledge to pursue justice.

For Lyon, the desecration of a site dedicated to Holocaust remembrance has left many shaken. As one city hall official put it, “The fact that this inscription was made on a Holocaust memorial clearly constitutes an antisemitic act.”

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