A group of Israeli children, aged 8 to 16, were refused entry to a leisure park in Porté-Puymorens (France) by the manager on Thursday, despite having made a reservation, the Perpignan prosecutor's office confirmed.
The 52-year-old manager said he had banned the group on account of "personal convictions."
An investigation has been opened, and the manager has been taken into custody on account of "discrimination based on religion in the context of the offer or the fortune of a good or service."
The prosecutor's office announced that this is punishable by a maximum sentence of three years in prison. The manager is not previously known to the justice system.
Corine Serfati-Chetrit, of the CRIF Perpignan and the Jewish Observatory of France in Occitanie, said "we are in the midst of a tsunami of anti-Semitism in France."
"This is, without hesitation and without any possible doubt, further proof that it is now a danger to be Jewish and Israeli on French soil."
The resort didn’t directly address the situation, with French newspaper Le Parisien explaining that the place would be closed the following day, Thursday, August 21, due to a 'severe storm.'
Following yesterday's severe storm, we must close the park tomorrow, Thursday, August 21, to conduct a complete inspection of our facilities. This inspection is essential to ensure your safety and to welcome you in the best possible conditions on your next visit. Thank you for your understanding, and see you soon in the air," it reads the statement.
Antisemitism in Europe: Israelis assaulted in the Netherlands
Two Israelis were attacked at the Center Parcs De Kempervennen in the Netherlands, the Foreign Ministry confirmed on Twitter/ X on Thursday.
The Israeli nationals are understood to be receiving treatment from a hospital in Eindhoven for wounds sustained from the attack, which was carried out by multiple local residents.
Before the attack, Dutch media outlet Jonet reported that pro-Palestinian activists had secretly recorded the Israelis, and their image was shared online. The footage of the Israeli families reportedly appeared on the social media page of the Amsterdam branch of Students for Justice in Palestine, according to Omroep Flevoland.