France commemorates 1942 roundup of Jews, after plaque honoring rescuers defaced

France marked the 81st anniversary of the Vel d’Hiv roundup on Sunday, a dark chapter in its history involving the mass arrest of 13,152 Jews by French police in July 1942. The commemoration came amid heightened tensions due to recent acts of antisemitism in the country, and was overshadowed by the defacement of a plaque honoring a French family recognized as Righteous Among the Nations for saving a 13-year-old child during the raid. The event took place at the site of the former Winter Velodrome, now known as the Palais des Sports, where many of the arrested Jews were held before being transported to Nazi concentration camps. Authorities confirmed that a plaque dedicated to a couple and their daughter, recognized by Israel for their heroic actions, had been vandalized prior to the ceremony. The incident sparked outrage among officials and community leaders, who emphasized the importance of remembering the past while confronting present-day challenges. French Deputy Defense Minister Alice Rufo condemned the act of vandalism, stating that attacking the Righteous Among the Nations was tantamount to desecrating the entire universe. She pledged that the plaque would be restored and reaffirmed that the Republic would not yield to antisemitism in any form. The statement underscored the ongoing struggle against rising hate crimes in France, particularly since the outbreak of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in late 2023. The Vel d’Hiv roundup occurred under the collaborationist regime of Vichy France, which worked alongside Nazi Germany during World War II. On July 16 and 17, 1942, more than 4,500 police officers were deployed to carry out arrests, with additional forces joining until July 20. The operation saw the detention of nearly 13,000 individuals, approximately a third of whom were children. Many were separated from their families and sent directly to Nazi death camps, marking one of the most brutal episodes of the Holocaust in occupied Europe. The French government did not formally acknowledge its role in the Vel d’Hiv raids until 1995, when President Jacques Chirac issued an apology for the actions of the wartime authorities. This delay in recognition reflected broader reluctance within France to confront its complicity in the Holocaust, despite the country's large Jewish population and historical ties to Jewish communities. The commemoration included speeches from political figures, religious leaders, and survivors' descendants, all emphasizing the need to preserve the memory of those who suffered and those who resisted. The event also served as a reminder of the persistent threat of antisemitism in modern France, with reports of increased incidents following the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023. These acts have ranged from verbal harassment and online threats to physical assaults and property damage targeting Jewish individuals and institutions. Authorities have launched an investigation into the vandalism of the plaque, though no suspects have been identified. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of Holocaust memorials and the potential for further attacks on symbols of resistance and remembrance. Local officials have called for increased security measures around such sites and urged the public to remain vigilant against hate-motivated crimes. As France continues to grapple with its complex history and the resurgence of antisemitism, the Vel d’Hiv commemoration serves both as a solemn tribute to the victims and a call to action for the present. The defacement of the plaque has reignited discussions about how best to honor those who stood against injustice, even as new threats emerge in the current era.