In Lyon, an incident occurred where a man shouted 'Free Palestine' and performed a Nazi salute in front of a rabbi, provoking a police investigation. This event took place on Saturday afternoon near a restaurant while the rabbi was walking with a group of children heading to the synagogue for a religious service. The prefecture noted that there was currently no established connection between this incident and a related march in honor of activist Quentin Deranque, which was happening concurrently.

Witnesses reported that after the rabbi experienced this troubling encounter, others emerged from the restaurant with similar chants. The rabbi, feeling compelled to respond to the shocking behavior directed at him and the children, made the decision to take them to the synagogue sooner than planned. This occurrence has raised significant concerns among community members regarding safety and the rising tensions surrounding discussions on Palestine and Israel, especially in France where anti-Semitic incidents have been on the rise recently.

The local authorities are dealing with the ramifications of such public displays of hate, emphasizing their commitment to investigating the incident thoroughly. The prefecture's comments highlight an urgent need for dialogue on the issues of freedom of expression and hate speech, particularly in a political climate marked by heightened sensitivities surrounding these topics.