French President Emmanuel Macron announced the establishment of a national day of commemoration on 12th July to honour the judicial rehabilitation of Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer wrongfully accused of treason in the late 19th century, urging citizens to remain vigilant against the persistent scourge of antisemitism.
“From now on, every 12th July will host a ceremony for Dreyfus, celebrating the triumph of justice and truth over hatred and antisemitism,” declared the President in a statement released by the Élysée Palace.
The inaugural ceremony is scheduled for 2026, marking the 120th anniversary of the French Court of Cassation’s recognition of Captain Dreyfus’s innocence. Macron emphasised that Alfred Dreyfus and those who fought alongside him for liberty, equality, and fraternity will continue to serve as a model for our actions.
The “Dreyfus Affair” divided French public opinion for over a decade against a backdrop of antisemitism and political-military conspiracy.
From his arrest in 1894 until the legal conclusion of the affair on 12th July 1906, Alfred Dreyfus endured two trials, imprisonment, and exile to Devil’s Island in French Guiana.
“Regrettably, the legacy of anti-Dreyfusards, anti-republicans, and antisemites from the early and mid-20th century has never truly disappeared,” Macron continued. “We must consistently demonstrate vigilance and perseverance against these enduring antisemitic demons spawned by hatred. Today, this is more urgent than ever,” he added.
Between January and May 2025, the French Interior Ministry recorded 504 antisemitic incidents, reflecting a 24% decrease from the previous year but a doubling compared to the same period in 2013.
