The Paris prosecutor’s office announced Saturday that it has opened an investigation into death threats made against French President Emmanuel Macron by a Jewish rabbi.
According to the prosecutor’s office, the investigation was initiated following a report from the Interior Minister and the Pharos platform, which monitors online content inciting violence and hatred. The case concerns “death threats against the President of the Republic.”
As reported by Le Figaro, the rabbi posted a video on YouTube criticizing France’s decision to recognize the State of Palestine in September. In the 37-minute video, he said:
“This French president needs to know—it’s better he prepares his coffin. God will show him what it means to be brazen and to make statements against God.”
He also described France’s move to recognize Palestine as “antisemitic,” according to Le Figaro.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the rabbi’s remarks in a post on X (formerly Twitter), calling them “completely unacceptable” and confirming that he had referred the matter to judicial authorities for criminal proceedings.
France’s Chief Rabbi Haïm Korsia also denounced the statements, clarifying that the individual in question has never held any rabbinical position in France and has not received rabbinical training or certification there.