On Monday morning, February 16, the statue of the Republic in Paris was discovered to be covered in hateful symbols, including swastikas and various anti-Semitic graffiti. The city hall of Paris Center confirmed the incident, which also drew attention from media, highlighting the troubling rise of anti-Semitism in the region. Authorities announced plans to clean the statue later that day.

The disturbing inscriptions not only targeted the Jewish community but also included violent messages directed at well-known figures and institutions, such as calls to murder prominent Jewish figures and a harsh attack on the French State. The graffiti underscores a wider societal issue regarding increasing anti-Semitic sentiments and hate speech, which has been a growing concern in French society in recent years.

The city's response includes filing a formal complaint against the act of vandalism, reflecting a commitment to combating anti-Semitic hate crimes. This event serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced in addressing hate and intolerance, particularly in public spaces that symbolize national unity and democracy. The cleaning of the statue will be seen as a necessary step in re-establishing the monument's integrity in the heart of Paris.