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Watch the Abuse This Jewish Man Gets as He Walks Through Paris

2 minute read
Paris Jew Anti-Semetism
YouTube
By Megan Gibson

Zvika Klein, a journalist who works for the Israeli news outlet NRG, filmed himself walking the streets of Paris for ten hours one day while wearing a yarmulke. The video opens with Klein putting on the traditional Jewish skullcap in front of the Eiffel Tower, before walking around the city. Along the way, Klein experiences what he describes as “fear and loathing,” as the camera catches people spitting on the ground near him, shouting “Viva Palestine” or simply saying, “Jew” or “Juif.”

The video has been edited down into a minute and a half and Klein had to go to areas where he, or any outsider, was likely to arouse attention. Klein, who wore a tzitzit or tasseled prayer garment to emphasise his identity, told the BBC that filming took place earlier this month and that while few incidents took place in the central areas of Paris, the outskirts of the city were a different story. “As we went to the suburbs, or certain neighbourhoods in the city, the remarks became more violent,” he said. (Klein also told the BBC that some bystanders also spoke out against the abusive comments he received.)

Paris Terror Attacks: One Tense, Mournful Week in Photos

More than a million people marched in Paris - and nearly 4 million gathered all over France - in solidarity after the killings that stunned the nation, Jan. 11, 2015.
More than a million people marched in Paris - and nearly 4 million gathered all over France - in solidarity after the killings that stunned the nation, Jan. 11, 2015.Julien Pebrel—MYOP for TIME
France’s largest demonstration since the end of World War II, Parisians of all walks of life marched against terror, Jan. 11, 2015.
France’s largest demonstration since the end of World War II, Parisians of all walks of life marched against terror, Jan. 11, 2015. Julien Pebrel—MYOP for TIME
A memorial site for the 12 victims of the terrorist attacks near the offices of Charlie Hebdo, the satirical weekly publication, Jan. 12, 2015.
A memorial site for the 12 victims of the terrorist attacks near the offices of Charlie Hebdo, the satirical weekly publication, Jan. 12, 2015. Julien Pebrel—MYOP for TIME
Flowers, candles, notes, and “I am Charlie” signs are strewn at an improvised memorial near the Charlie Hebdo offices, Jan. 12, 2015.
Flowers, candles, notes, and “I am Charlie” signs are strewn at an improvised memorial near the Charlie Hebdo offices, Jan. 12, 2015.Julien Pebrel—MYOP for TIME
Police guard the area near the Charlie Hebdo offices, as Paris remains on alert after the killings, Jan. 12, 2015.
Police guard the area near the Charlie Hebdo offices, as Paris remains on alert after the killings, Jan. 12, 2015.Julien Pebrel—MYOP for TIME
Students stand in front of the Yeshiva Yad Mordechai in the Marais, a traditionally Jewish quarter in Paris, Jan. 11, 2015. Rising anti-Semitism has propelled Jews to leave France in record numbers with 7000 emigrating to Israel in 2014.
Students stand in front of the Yeshiva Yad Mordechai in the Marais, a traditionally Jewish quarter in Paris, Jan. 11, 2015. Rising anti-Semitism has propelled Jews to leave France in record numbers with 7000 emigrating to Israel in 2014. Julien Pebrel—MYOP for TIME
Life goes on at this Jewish bakery in the Marais, a traditionally Jewish quarter in Paris, France, Jan. 11, 2015.
Life goes on at this Jewish bakery in the Marais, a traditionally Jewish quarter in Paris, France, Jan. 11, 2015. Julien Pebrel—MYOP for TIME
The Charlie Hebdo attackers, the Kouachi brothers, spent years of their young adult lives in the banlieue, or suburbs, outside Paris, where low income housing projects are populated largely with immigrant populations and youth unemployment rates are rampant, Jan. 13, 2015.
The Charlie Hebdo attackers, the Kouachi brothers, spent years of their young adult lives in the banlieue, or suburbs, outside Paris, where low income housing projects are populated largely with immigrant populations and youth unemployment rates are rampant, Jan. 13, 2015. Julien Pebrel—MYOP for TIME
The Kouachi brothers, the Charlie Hebdo attackers, fell into a life of petty crime before turning to fundamentalist religion. At one time, they attended this mosque in Paris’s 19th arrondissement, Jan.11, 2015.
The Kouachi brothers, the Charlie Hebdo attackers, fell into a life of petty crime before turning to fundamentalist religion. At one time, they attended this mosque in Paris’s 19th arrondissement, Jan.11, 2015.Julien Pebrel—MYOP for TIME
Men pray at a mosque in the 19th arrondissement in Paris, which the Kouachi brothers, the Charlie Hebdo attackers, had once attended, Jan. 13, 2015.
Men pray at a mosque in the 19th arrondissement in Paris, which the Kouachi brothers, the Charlie Hebdo attackers, had once attended, Jan. 13, 2015. Julien Pebrel—MYOP for TIME

Klein’s video, which has been viewed nearly a million times since it was posted on Sunday, reflects a threat felt by more and more Jewish people in Europe, where anti-Semitic incidents are being increasingly reported. That fear is more pronounced following terrorist attacks in both Copenhagen and Paris earlier this year.

The video also replicates the format of a similar clip that went viral last October, which saw a woman walking the streets the of New York and recording the sexist harassment she encountered.

Read next: Jews Face Renewed Doubt Over Their Future in Europe

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