Watchdog identifies over 1,300 posts linking Jews and Israel to France riots

Study findings show posts blending conspiracy theories with demands for physical violence, expulsion, and extermination against Jews.

Recent civil unrest in France coincided with a surge of antisemitic content on X, where users accused Israel, Mossad, and Jewish communities of sparking the violence and damage, according to a report released Sunday by the Combat Antisemitism Movement.

CAM's Antisemitism Research Center reviewed posts on X from October 16 to 18 and found 1,384 messages connecting the riots to Jews or Israel. The group noted that many of these messages combined conspiracy theories with explicit calls for violence, expulsion, and extermination.

Antisemitic theories accuse Israel and Mossad of fueling France riots

Key accounts promoted statements such as "Mossad is burning France right now" and portrayed the events as a "civil war orchestrated by Jewish elites."

Additional posts connected French President Emmanuel Macron to the Rothschild family, while far-right figures with large followings shared messages claiming "The Jews did this to France. Don't let them do it to America."

This marks the fourth instance in under three months where CAM documented similar antisemitic conspiracy patterns emerging after major events, including the migrant situation in Ceuta, the September 11 anniversary, and an attempted plane hijacking toward Ben-Gurion Airport.

Verified X accounts boost antisemitic messages

Accounts with X Premium subscriptions, marked by blue checkmarks, were found promoting some of the most extreme content.

The material gained millions of views, with CAM pointing to platform features that aided wider distribution.

CAM CEO Sacha Roytman highlighted the risk that online hatred could lead to real-world violence.

"Once again, we see the same twisted pattern where hatred of Jews and Israel is used to explain every national crisis," Roytman said. "Social media platforms are rewarding those who spread hate instead of halting it."

CAM urges French officials and platforms to respond

Roytman appealed to French authorities and social media firms to address the violence and incitement.

"French law enforcement must act decisively against the rioters, and platform leaders must stop this lawlessness before lives are lost," he said.

The Combat Antisemitism Movement operates as an international, nonpartisan group focused on fighting antisemitism and safeguarding Jewish communities through research, awareness efforts, and policy work with governments and institutions.