Terrorist threat: increased security for Jewish holidays
The Ministry of the Interior and the national police are deploying increased protection for the Tishrei holidays in the face of a terrorist threat considered high.
Quick Look
- Faced with a high terrorist threat, the French authorities are strengthening security around synagogues and Jewish community places for the Tishrei holidays.
- The system includes coordination with Operation Sentinel and increased vigilance.
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Why It Matters
The national anti-terrorism prosecution recently arrested three men suspected of preparing violent action against the Jewish community. The terrorist threat is considered high by the authorities.
Yesterday, the national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office announced the indictment and arrest of three men suspected of preparing "a planned violent action targeting the Jewish community." The investigation, entrusted to the DGSI, began around the jihadist actions of members of a WhatsApp group called “the soldiers of Allah”. One of the suspects was even linked to a woman arrested by the FBI in the United States for having prepared an attack on the headquarters of the New York State Parliament on behalf of the Islamic State.
It is in this context that two telegrams, consulted by Le Figaro - one emanating from the general direction of the national police, broadcast on September 4, and the other from the Minister of the Interior Laurent Nuñez, sent on August 31 to the prefects and those responsible for internal security - reveal the extent of the system deployed to protect the Jewish community on the occasion of the major autumn holidays. Because the terrorist threat is at “a high level”, assures the general management of the national police in its message.
In the first half of 2026, 532 acts were recorded - a drop of 18% compared to the same period in 2025, with however a peak observed in March 2026, "in connection with the deterioration of the situation in the Middle East", contextualizes Laurent Nunez. What is not decreasing is the share of anti-Semitic acts in all anti-religious acts which still represent half - 53% in 2025 compared to 47% in the first half of 2026. And their nature is hardening: 73% of them now constitute attacks on people, compared to 67% in 2025, explains the ministry. Last year, 1,320 anti-Semitic acts were recorded by the national directorate of territorial intelligence, he recalls.
Operation Sentinel at the doors of the synagogues
It is in this context that the minister requests a “strengthening of security measures” for the holidays of the month of Tishrei – Rosh Hashanah, from September 11 to 13, Yom Kippur on the evening of September 20, and Sukkot from September 25 to October 2. On the ground, the operational telegram signed by the director general of the national police sets out concrete instructions. The services will have to contact in advance the managers of the synagogues and community places to find out the schedule of services - and remind them of the vigilance instructions relating to the filtering of access and the visual control of incoming flows “to detect suspicious individuals”.
“At times of arrival and departure of the faithful,” a visible and reinforced presence of security forces is required on the “most sensitive sites.” And for the most emblematic places of worship, the means must be deployed “in coordination with the forces of Operation Sentinel” – a military anti-terrorism mission deployed since 2015.
Particular attention is also paid to “vehicles parked near places of worship.” Mayors will be made aware of the need to take “temporary measures to prohibit driving and parking” and to involve their municipal police and video protection in the system.
Open Questions
- What is the current status of the investigation into the 'Soldiers of Allah' group?
