Paris

France’s riots are more than protests. They reflect a growing assault on national identity, civic values, and the security of Europe’s Jews.

"It is the first time we have had a terrorist act that was planned to kill our compatriots, our children, based on the color of their skin or their religion," Macron said.

Ahead of their 4-2 victory, French supporters unveiled a tifo inspired by the horror film "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," featuring a character with a chainsaw butchering the Catalan club's crest.

The scale of the destruction has also prompted wider questions about how social grievances developed into a national security crisis, whether extremist networks are exploiting the unrest.

Some 2,400 people were arrested during the weekend, and police investigators are poring over online videos and images to track down looters.

Amid reports of incidents targeting Jewish sites in France, the SPCJ urged the Jewish community to exercise caution, avoid spreading unverified claims of antisemitism, and rely on official updates.

Trump urged France to close its borders, blaming immigration for the unrest as violent riots swept major cities, leaving buildings torched and hundreds injured.

A Jew in France or New York should be able to hold any opinion about Israel, or none, without being tested on it before walking into a synagogue.

The protests in France began last ‌month at high schools in Paris' working-class northern suburbs, where anger over teacher shortages and shabby facilities evolved into a broader movement.

The student-led movement broadened from protesting the eduction system to a nationwide demonstration against inequality and excessive public spending.