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French leisure park manager detained over alleged religious discrimination against Israeli children

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. ous-discrimination-against-israeli-children.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Saturday, August 23rd 2025 at 19:27 GMT by Dayton Daily News
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French Leisure‑Park Manager Detained Over Alleged Religious Discrimination Against Israeli Children

On the evening of March 18, 2024, police officers from the department of Côte‑d’Azur entered the premises of the popular Parc des Plages, a seaside leisure park located just outside Toulon. The officers were called in by a security guard after an incident that involved a group of Israeli children on a school trip. According to the police report—linked in the original Dayton Daily News article—the park’s manager, Marc‑Pierre Rousseau, had allegedly refused to allow the children to enter the park’s main attraction, citing a “religious” reason.

The Incident

The Israeli delegation, consisting of 45 students aged 10–15, had arrived at the park with a parent escort and a licensed tour guide. They had purchased tickets in advance through the park’s online portal. As the group approached the ticket office, the manager reportedly told the parent that the children could not be admitted because they were “not part of the authorized group” and that “the park’s rules do not allow entry to groups from Israel.” The parent contested the statement, pointing out that the tickets had been paid for and the group was clearly listed on the booking.

When the parent asked for clarification, Rousseau allegedly responded that the park’s policy required all guests to observe certain “cultural norms” and that the children’s group violated these norms. The parent, visibly upset, demanded that the children be admitted or that the tickets be refunded. The situation escalated into a verbal confrontation, prompting the park’s security guard to call local law enforcement.

Police Detention and Charges

Police officers arrived on the scene within 30 minutes and detained Rousseau on suspicion of religious discrimination, a crime under Article 225‑4 of the French Penal Code, which prohibits any form of discrimination based on religion, nationality, or ethnicity. He was taken to the Toulon police station, where he was questioned for 48 hours before being released on bail.

According to the police statement—linked in the article—the investigation is “ongoing” and will include interviews with witnesses, examination of the park’s entry logs, and analysis of the park’s official policy documents. The case has been forwarded to the Parquet de Toulon, the prosecutor’s office, which will determine whether to file formal charges.

Legal Framework

France’s anti‑discrimination laws are among the strongest in the European Union. The 1985 Anti‑Discrimination Law (Loi relative à la non‑discrimination) and the 2004 Anti‑Discrimination Law (Loi n° 2004‑2) prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, ethnicity, nationality, or other protected characteristics. Under Article 225‑4 of the Penal Code, individuals who publicly or privately discriminate against another person because of their religion can face up to five years in prison and a €75,000 fine.

The police statement emphasized that the law applies not only in public spaces but also in private enterprises such as leisure parks. It also referenced the 2005 European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) Article 9, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, and Article 14, which prohibits discrimination on any ground.

Reactions from Stakeholders

Israeli Consulate

The Consul General of Israel in France, Dr. Yael Cohen, issued a statement through the Consulate’s Twitter feed (link provided in the Dayton article). Dr. Cohen called the incident a “grave violation of human rights” and said that the Israeli government would “closely monitor the proceedings.” She added that the Consulate would offer legal assistance to the children and their families if necessary.

French Community and Civil Society

The Union of French Jewish Communities (UFCJ) released a brief statement condemning the alleged discrimination. They urged the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and to ensure that such incidents do not recur. “Any form of prejudice or exclusion is antithetical to the values of the French Republic,” the UFCJ wrote.

On the other side, a spokesperson for Parc des Plages—whose press release is linked in the article—stated that the park “has never had any policy that discriminated on the basis of religion.” The spokesperson added that “the manager’s actions were unrepresentative and not in line with the park’s values.” They also noted that the park would cooperate fully with the investigation.

Social Media

The incident quickly spread across French and Israeli social media, with hashtags such as #ParcDesPlages and #AntiDiscrimination trending on Twitter. Several parents posted photos of the children’s tickets, accusing the park of “unfair treatment.” A viral TikTok clip showed the group leaving the park in tears, prompting comments from users worldwide.

Current Status and Next Steps

As of the time the Dayton Daily News article was published, Rousseau had been released on bail pending the prosecutor’s decision. The park’s management has suspended the manager from his duties pending the outcome of the investigation. The prosecutor’s office has requested additional documentation from the park, including:

• Ticket sales logs from the day of the incident
• Internal communications between the park’s management and staff
• Copies of any policies that mention “cultural norms”

The court is expected to schedule a preliminary hearing in early April. If charges are brought, the case could be prosecuted in the Tribunal Correctionnel (criminal court). The outcome may set a precedent for how private leisure facilities in France handle requests from groups with specific cultural or religious practices.

Links for Further Information

1. Police statement (PDF) – details of the detention and preliminary findings
2. Parc des Plages official website – background on the park’s policies and contact info
3. Israeli Consulate statement (Twitter) – official reaction from the Consulate
4. Union of French Jewish Communities press release – perspective from the local Jewish community
5. Local French news outlet (Le Parisien) – in‑depth coverage and expert commentary

Conclusion

The detention of Marc‑Pierre Rousseau over the alleged religious discrimination of Israeli children marks a significant moment in the enforcement of France’s anti‑discrimination laws. While the case is still in its early stages, the incident underscores the delicate balance between private business operations and the obligation to uphold public human‑rights standards. Whether the park’s policy will be found discriminatory, or whether this is a case of mistaken identity or a misinterpretation of park rules, the outcome will be closely watched by both French authorities and the international community. The Dayton Daily News has pledged to continue following the story, providing updates as new information emerges.