A memorial olive tree dedicated to Ilan Halimi, a young French Jewish man who was tortured and killed in 2006 because of his religion, was deliberately cut down in Épinay-sur-Seine during the night of August 13 to 14, 2025. The act of vandalism has sparked condemnation from French political figures including President Emmanuel Macron, who vowed justice in response to the incident. The event has reignited public discourse on antisemitism in France, with various commentators highlighting a crisis of societal memory and the persistence of antisemitic attitudes. Additionally, a plaque honoring the Justes de Villeurbanne near Lyon was recently torn down, an act denounced by local officials as antisemitic. Analysts and commentators have pointed to the evolving nature of antisemitism in France, noting its presence within parts of the Muslim community and its manifestation on social media. The incident has prompted calls for greater awareness and action against the resurgence of antisemitism in French society.