A French man has been jailed over the racist killing of his Tunisian neighbor in what prosecutors are calling the first far-right attack in France officially labeled as terrorism. The deadly shooting happened last Saturday in Puget-sur-Argens, a town in southern France, and has sparked fresh fears about growing racism in the country.
France is home to the largest Muslim population in the European Union. This incident has put a spotlight on long-standing problems of anti-Muslim and anti-migrant bias. Experts say these forms of racism are deeply rooted in French society and politics.
The victim, a man from Tunisia, was reportedly targeted because of his background. Authorities say this attack was not random but driven by hate. By labeling it a terrorist act, the French government is recognizing the danger posed by far-right violence—something that has often gone unnoticed in past years.
Jean Beaman, a researcher and professor at CUNY Graduate Center, appeared on France 24 to discuss the issue. She explained that racism in France has always been closely tied to the fear of migrants and Muslims. According to her, this fear has become stronger in recent years, especially with growing support for far-right political ideas.
Beaman also pointed out that this kind of racism is not just about individual actions. It’s linked to bigger social and political systems that exclude and blame certain groups. She added that labeling the killing as terrorism is an important step, but more needs to be done to fight the root causes of hate.
The incident is raising questions about whether France is doing enough to protect its minority communities. Activists say the country must take stronger steps to stop racist violence and challenge harmful stereotypes that often go unchecked in politics and media.
With this case now under investigation as a far-right terror attack, it could mark a turning point in how France responds to racism. Many hope it leads to real change in the way the country handles hate crimes and protects those most at risk.