French Jews Cancel Sabbath Prayers as 550,000 Protesters Spark 2,400 Arrests

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 20

French Jewish congregations canceled Saturday afternoon prayers and urged members to hide kippahs and leave synagogues immediately after services as nationwide protests turned violent.
Samuel Arrouas said synagogues emailed worshipers not to go out because it would be dangerous, calling it the first time in his 40 years he had heard such warnings.
About 550,000 people joined Oct. 17 demonstrations over fuel prices, living costs and public services, but rioters looted businesses and set fires in Paris, Marseille and other cities, leading to roughly 2,400 arrests.
Jewish groups said Palestinian flags at domestic protests and 1,384 antisemitic posts documented in two days deepened fears, though SPCJ said there was no evidence Jewish businesses were specifically targeted because they were Jewish.
Emmanuel Macron called for calm and accountability, while community leaders said the unrest and rising antisemitism were pushing some of France's roughly 550,000 Jews to consider leaving.