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Israeli children barred from French leisure park amid discrimination probe
Authorities in southern France have detained the manager of a leisure park after a group of Israeli children, aged eight to 16, were denied access, raising allegations of religious discrimination.
The children, on holiday in Spain, had reserved a visit to the Tyrovol zipline park in Porté-Puymorens near the Spanish border. Prosecutors said the manager initially cited “personal beliefs” as the reason for refusing the group entry, before offering different explanations to others.
The park had also posted a message on social media stating it would be closed for a full inspection, but the children were redirected to another facility without incident. The manager denies any wrongdoing.
Community leaders condemned the act. Perla Danan, president of the Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions in Languedoc-Roussillon, compared it to Holocaust-era discrimination, saying: “France’s values have been violated.” The mayor of Porté-Puymorens expressed astonishment at the incident, emphasizing the community’s commitment to fraternity.
Discrimination based on religion is punishable by up to three years in prison in France. The case comes amid heightened concern over antisemitic incidents in the country, following recent conflicts in Israel and Gaza.