Irish man arrested in France over antisemitic threats

An Irish man in his 60s has been arrested in France and faces trial in October for allegedly making antisemitic death threats against an Australian Jewish couple in a supermarket near Avignon. The incident, which occurred on August 11, 2026, at a hypermarket in Le Pontet, was partially recorded on video and circulated widely online.

According to the couple and footage reviewed by authorities, the confrontation began when the man approached them while they were shopping. The conversation turned to Israel, at which point the man allegedly stated he was sorry Adolf Hitler had not "finished the job." The video captures the man later telling the woman, "You get the f*** away from me before I put a f***ing bullet in your head."

The suspect was identified and arrested by French gendarmes on August 26. He was placed under judicial supervision and is scheduled to appear before the Avignon criminal court in October for a fast-track trial. The Avignon prosecutor's office stated the man admitted to the alleged conduct, expressed regret, and said he had let anger get the better of him.

French officials swiftly condemned the attack. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez praised the investigators and...