France's outgoing justice minister urges tougher response to antisemitism

Outgoing Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin asked French public prosecutors on Friday to take tougher action against incidents of antisemitism, just days before President Emmanuel Macron is set to anger Israel by recognizing a Palestinian state.

The move also comes a few weeks after the new U.S. ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, published an open letter in the Wall Street Journal accusing France of not doing enough to stem antisemitic violence.

In a document seen by Reuters and circulated ahead of the Jewish New Year, which coincides with Macron's planned recognition of the Palestinian state on September 22, Darmanin asked for "very firm criminal action" against antisemitic acts and speeches.

He also called for "general aggravating circumstances" to be taken into account in all cases where possible, which in French law means allowing for the maximum prison sentence to be imposed.

Darmanin asked prosecutors to open "systematic investigations" when they are notified by an elected official or civil servant of an antisemitic act or statement.

Macron has emerged as one of the more forceful critics of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's prosecution of the war in Gaza, particularly with regard to Palestinian civilian casualties.

The president has also publicly criticized antisemitism as antithetical to French values and increased security to protect synagogues and other Jewish centres in response to antisemitic incidents linked to the Gaza conflict.