Swastikas spray-painted on former Nazi transit camp in Paris suburbs
France 24
by FRANCE 24February 26, 2026
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Swastikas have been spray-painted on two buildings in Drancy, a suburb of Paris known for its historical role as a World War II transit camp for Jews deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. The act of vandalism occurred near a housing estate where a memorial was previously vandalized in March 2024. One swastika measured just a few centimeters across, while the other spanned nearly one meter in diameter, underscoring the deliberate and provocative nature of the act.
The discovery was made by Gokhan Unver, a candidate for mayor with France Unbowed (LFI), who described the area as a place where Holocaust victims were once forcibly moved before being deported to death camps. He expressed strong condemnation, noting that such acts are particularly serious in a neighborhood tied to such dark history. Three local Communist Party lawmakers have since filed a formal report with judicial authorities.
The incident highlights enduring anti-Semitic tensions in France, which is home to Western Europe's largest Jewish community—around 500,000 people—and a significant Muslim population. The country has seen a rise in anti-Semitic acts in recent years, particularly following the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 and Israel's military response. Between January and August 2025, France recorded 886 anti-Semitic acts, marking a 20% decrease compared to the same period in 2024.
This vandalism comes amid broader concerns about hate crimes targeting Jewish communities and the need for stronger measures to combat anti-Semitism. The case has sparked outrage and calls for accountability, reflecting ongoing societal tensions in France and the wider world.
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Originally published on France 24 on 2/26/2026