Fact Check: "The presiding judge stated that the victim 'would not have been raped if she had not been Jewish' during the sentencing of the two boys."
What We Know
On June 13, 2025, a French court sentenced two teenagers to nine and seven years in prison for the gang rape of a 12-year-old Jewish girl in Courbevoie, a suburb of Paris. The presiding judge justified the severity of the sentences by citing the "worrying" personalities of the offenders and the "immense social disturbance" caused by the crime, which was committed on religious grounds. Notably, she stated that the victim "would not have been raped if she had not been Jewish" (Le Monde, Inquirer, Daily Mail).
The crime occurred on June 15, 2024, when the girl was approached by the boys in a park, dragged into an abandoned daycare center, and assaulted while being subjected to antisemitic remarks. The attack was filmed, and the perpetrators threatened the victim to prevent her from reporting the incident (Le Monde, Inquirer).
Analysis
The claim that the presiding judge made the statement regarding the victim's Jewish identity is corroborated by multiple credible sources. Each source, including major news outlets like Le Monde and Inquirer, reports the judge's exact words. The context of the statement is critical; it was made during a sentencing that highlighted the antisemitic nature of the crime, reflecting broader societal issues of rising antisemitism in France (Le Monde, Inquirer).
The sources used are reputable and provide consistent accounts of the events. They reflect a serious societal concern regarding antisemitism, especially in the context of increasing reported incidents in France (Inquirer). The judge's statement has been widely reported and condemned, indicating a significant public and political response to the crime and its implications.
Conclusion
The claim that the presiding judge stated the victim "would not have been raped if she had not been Jewish" is True. This statement is well-documented in multiple reliable sources and reflects the antisemitic motivations behind the crime, which has sparked considerable outrage and concern in French society.
