Macron expressed his outrage on social media following the incident in Épinay-sur-Seine, where an olive tree planted 14 years ago in memory of Halimi was discovered cut down. The tree honored Halimi, a Jewish man tortured and murdered by a Paris gang in 2006, an event that shocked the nation and highlighted issues of antisemitism. Macron termed the act of cutting down the tree "an attempt to kill him a second time," and reassured that every possible means would be used to track down those responsible.

The local police chief, Laurent Nuñez, confirmed that authorities are actively investigating the incident and are determined to hold the culprits accountable. The olive tree was one of several memorials dedicated to Halimi, who was brutally kidnapped due to his Jewish background, tortured for weeks, and ultimately murdered. The heinous crime was orchestrated by Youssouf Fofana, who targeted Halimi for perceived financial gain due to his heritage.

Macron, alongside Prime Minister François Bayrou, reaffirmed France's commitment to fighting antisemitism, criticizing the ongoing hatred that necessitates such memorials. Bayrou emphasized the importance of remembrance and pledged to continue the struggle against antisemitism, calling it a “deadly poison.” This is not the first time memorials for Halimi have been vandalized, indicating a troubling trend of antisemitic acts within the nation. The response from the French government not only seeks to reassure the Jewish community but also highlights the ongoing need to address hate crimes in various forms.