Irish Man Charged in France Over Antisemitic Death Threats to Australian Jewish Couple in Avignon Supermarket
An Irish man in his sixties who has been living in France has been charged with making antisemitic death threats and glorifying crimes against humanity after a video of his confrontation with an Australian Jewish couple at a supermarket in Avignon went viral and was viewed millions of times online, with the man — who admitted to the allegations during police questioning and said he 'regretted his remarks' — now facing a fast-track trial at the Avignon Criminal Court in October 2026 and a potential sentence of up to five years in prison.
Background
The incident occurred on August 11, 2026, at a supermarket in Avignon, in the south of France. According to the public prosecutor, Stéphanie Aouine, the encounter began as a cordial conversation between the Irish man and an Australian couple who were visiting France on holiday. The initial exchange was prompted by a French soccer jersey worn by the Australian tourist, and the conversation initially proceeded without incident.
The dialogue shifted, however, when the subject turned to Irish policy regarding Israel. At this point, according to the prosecutor's account, the Irish man became aggressive and began making antisemitic remarks. The Australian woman, who is Jewish, recorded part of the encounter on her phone, and the footage was subsequently posted online, where it spread rapidly across social media platforms and was viewed millions of times.
The video captured the woman stating that the man had told her he was 'sorry that Hitler didn't finish the job' — a remark that constitutes the glorification of crimes against humanity under French law. The recording also showed the man telling the woman, 'You get the f*** away from me before I put a f***ing bullet in your head' — a conditional death threat that carries its own criminal charge under the French penal code. The woman also reported that the man mimed throwing a large cantaloupe at her as the couple attempted to leave the scene.
Key Developments
The Australian couple did not immediately report the incident to police, citing concerns about their vulnerability as foreign visitors in an unfamiliar country. They subsequently contacted French Jewish security liaisons and filed a report with police in Nice, which led to the identification and arrest of the suspect by the Marseille and Avignon police investigative units on August 26, 2026.
The man, who has not been named due to French legal restrictions on reporting ongoing criminal cases, admitted to the allegations during questioning. He stated that he regretted his remarks and explained that he had 'let his anger get the better of him' during the argument. A search of his home resulted in the seizure of digital devices for forensic analysis. He is currently under judicial supervision and is set to face a fast-track trial at the Avignon Criminal Court in October 2026.
If convicted, the man faces a maximum of five years in prison and a €45,000 fine for glorifying crimes against humanity, and up to three years in prison and a €45,000 fine for the conditional death threats. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez praised the police for their swift investigation and emphasised that antisemitism 'must be fought firmly and relentlessly'.
Why It Matters
The case has generated significant attention in Ireland, where it has prompted reflection on the relationship between political discourse about the Middle East and the expression of antisemitic sentiment. The incident occurred against a backdrop of intense debate in Ireland about the conflict in Gaza, and the man's reported remarks about Irish policy regarding Israel suggest that his antisemitic outburst was connected, in his own mind at least, to that political context.
The distinction between legitimate criticism of Israeli government policy and antisemitic hatred is one that Irish society has been grappling with in recent years. The case in Avignon is an extreme example of what can happen when that distinction is not maintained — when hostility to a state's policies becomes hostility to the people of a religion or ethnicity. The man's reported invocation of Hitler and his death threat to a Jewish woman are not political statements; they are expressions of hatred that have no place in any civilised discourse.
For the Irish government, the case creates a diplomatic and reputational challenge. Ireland's position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been among the most critical of Israel of any EU member state, and the government has been at pains to distinguish its political positions from any form of antisemitism. The actions of an Irish citizen in Avignon, however reprehensible, will inevitably be used by some to conflate Irish political positions with antisemitic sentiment — a conflation that the government will need to address clearly and firmly.
Local Impact
In Ireland, the reaction to the case has been one of widespread condemnation across the political spectrum. The Council of Irish Jewish Communities issued a statement expressing its concern about the incident and calling for a clear public statement from the government that antisemitism is incompatible with Irish values. The Taoiseach's office is expected to issue a statement in the coming days, and the matter is likely to be raised in the Dáil when it returns from recess.
The case has also prompted discussion about the Irish community in France, which is substantial and generally well-regarded. Irish community organisations in Paris and other French cities have been quick to distance themselves from the actions of the individual involved, emphasising that his behaviour is not representative of the Irish community in France.
What's Next
The fast-track trial at the Avignon Criminal Court is scheduled for October 2026. The man remains under judicial supervision in the meantime, with conditions that restrict his movements and communications. The Irish Embassy in Paris has been in contact with French authorities and is monitoring the case. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin has indicated that it is aware of the situation and is following developments closely. The outcome of the trial will be watched carefully in both Ireland and France as a test of the French legal system's commitment to prosecuting antisemitic hate crimes.
