Teenager given 16-month sentence over assault on Rabbi Arie Engelberg in Orleans

Teen who assaulted rabbi in France sentenced to prison for anti-Semitic attack.

President of the Jewish community of Orleans, Andre Druon (right), speaks during a silent march in support of the rabbi of Orleans, in Orleans, central France, on March 25, 2025. Photo by Jean-Francois Monier/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

A juvenile court in central France has sentenced a 16-year-old boy to 16 months in prison after he was found guilty of carrying out an anti-Semitic assault on Rabbi Arie Engelberg in the city of Orleans. The teen assaults rabbi in France case has stirred national attention due to its religious and societal implications, taking place against a backdrop of rising anti-Semitic incidents across the country.

The attack occurred last month when Engelberg, accompanied by his nine-year-old son, was walking home from a local synagogue in Orleans, roughly 110 kilometres south of Paris. The rabbi was confronted and physically assaulted by the teenager, who allegedly asked about his religion before initiating a verbal and physical attack.

During Wednesday’s court proceedings, the teen was given a 12-month sentence for the attack itself. However, the total sentence was extended to 16 months after additional charges were taken into account. These included possession of illegal drugs—specifically, two grams of cannabis resin—and his refusal to comply with police procedures during custody.

No remorse from the perpetrator

Despite clear evidence presented in court, the defendant denied responsibility throughout the closed-door hearings. According to Orleans public prosecutor Emmanuelle Bochenek-Puren, the teenager will remain in detention. In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a five-year ban from the Loiret department, where Orleans is located.

The young defendant initially told investigators he was Palestinian. However, during the hearings, he changed his statement, claiming to be Moroccan and 16 years old. His lawyer stated that he arrived in France less than a year ago and has no family in the country.

Isabelle Abreu, the attorney representing Rabbi Engelberg, sharply criticized the defendant’s behavior during the trial. “We have encountered a person who has denied any responsibility,” she said, adding that the boy refused to admit fault at any point during the hearings. “He denied everything, even in the face of compelling evidence.”

Andre Druon, president of the Jewish community in Orleans, echoed this sentiment. “The attacker blamed everything on the rabbi,” he said. “He expressed no form of regret or compassion.”

Rabbi calls for firm judicial response

Rabbi Engelberg, who attended the court session accompanied by Druon, expressed his frustration with the lack of accountability shown by his attacker. Speaking outside the courtroom, Engelberg said, “In a democracy like France, you have a right to not be attacked.”

He described the incident to BFM television, recounting that his attacker approached him and asked if he was Jewish. Upon confirming his identity, Engelberg said the teenager began hurling anti-Semitic slurs. “He started saying ‘all Jews are sons of…’ and pulled out his phone to record while insulting me,” Engelberg said.

The rabbi added that he attempted to push the phone away, at which point the teenager began punching him. “I defended myself,” he said, recalling the traumatic experience.

Despite the violence, Engelberg emphasized the importance of resilience. “I have a community and a family to take care of. We have no choice but to move forward, and we do so with our heads held high.”

Community rallies in support

Just days after the assault, more than 1,000 residents of Orleans gathered in a public demonstration to express solidarity with Rabbi Engelberg and condemn anti-Semitic violence. The turnout, which included civic leaders and religious representatives, was seen as a powerful message of unity and resistance against hate.

The incident is part of a troubling pattern that reflects broader tensions within French society. In 2023, the French interior ministry recorded 1,570 anti-Semitic acts across the country. These incidents range from verbal abuse and graffiti to violent physical attacks, many of which are reportedly connected to international conflicts, including the ongoing war in Gaza.

France is home to the largest Jewish population in Europe, as well as the largest Muslim community within the European Union. Both communities have reported increasing hostility and discrimination in recent years, with spikes in hate crimes often following geopolitical developments in the Middle East.

Rising tensions amid war in Gaza

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights recently reported a surge in both anti-Muslim hatred and anti-Semitism across multiple member states since the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023. These developments have added fuel to an already volatile climate, where religious and ethnic minorities feel increasingly vulnerable.

While French authorities have pledged to take stronger actions against hate crimes, incidents such as the teen assaults rabbi in France case raise questions about the efficacy of current legal and social measures.

In the courtroom, the rabbi’s lawyer reminded the judges that “freedom of religion is not just a principle; it is a right that must be protected in everyday life.” The juvenile’s refusal to acknowledge his actions, she argued, was part of a broader pattern of denial and radicalization that authorities must confront head-on.

Legal precedent and implications

Under French juvenile law, cases involving minors are handled in closed-door sessions to protect the identities of those involved. However, this case has drawn considerable public and media attention due to its gravity and the wider issues it represents.

The court’s decision to hand down a relatively firm sentence—16 months in detention and a regional ban—is being viewed by some observers as a signal that French courts are taking hate crimes more seriously, particularly when they involve anti-Semitic motives.

Others, however, have called for more robust educational and community outreach initiatives aimed at preventing radicalization among young migrants and socially isolated individuals. The perpetrator in this case, having arrived recently in France and lacking familial support, is seen by some as a cautionary tale about integration and identity crises among youth.

A community determined to heal

For the Jewish community in Orleans, the sentencing offers a degree of closure, but also a reminder of the challenges ahead. Rabbi Engelberg, whose calm and poise throughout the ordeal have been widely praised, says he hopes his story can inspire resilience.

“We are not victims—we are survivors and leaders in our communities,” he said. “This was an attempt to scare us, but we choose strength and dignity.”

As anti-Semitic and racially motivated incidents continue to rise across France and Europe, the case of the teen who assaulted a rabbi in France stands as both a warning and a call to action. The judicial response may serve as a deterrent, but the larger solution likely lies in long-term community building, education, and vigilance against hate in all its forms.