In a raw and emotional video shared across social media platforms this week, Yehuda Polykar, a French-Israeli activist and vocal defender of Jewish self-defense, confessed to concealing a firearm on his person for years. "I've been carrying this with me for years," Polykar stated, lifting his shirt to reveal the holstered pistol strapped to his waist. The revelation came during an interview on the Feed podcast, where he detailed the constant fear that has shadowed his life amid escalating antisemitic violence in Europe.
Polykar, who relocated from France to Israel in 2023 following a surge in attacks on Jewish communities, described the weapon as a necessary shield against what he called an "existential threat." He recounted personal encounters, including verbal assaults and physical confrontations in Paris suburbs, where synagogues have become fortresses and Jewish schools operate under heavy security. "You don't understand until it's your reality," he told host David Rozado, emphasizing that his decision predated the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks but intensified afterward as antisemitic incidents skyrocketed across France and beyond.
The video, which has garnered millions of views, taps into a broader debate over Jewish self-reliance in the face of institutional failures. French authorities have reported a 1,000% increase in antisemitic acts since 2023, yet strict gun laws remain a barrier for most citizens. Polykar, a former Krav Maga instructor and community organizer, argued that concealed carry permits should be expedited for at-risk minorities, drawing parallels to armed security at Jewish institutions that has proven effective in thwarting attacks.
Critics, including French anti-gun advocates, condemned the disclosure as provocative, warning it could incite further tensions. Gun control groups like Amnesty International France labeled it "reckless vigilantism," while others praised Polykar's candor as a wake-up call. In Israel, where civilian firearm ownership surged post-October 7, his story resonates deeply; over 100,000 new permits were issued in the ensuing months, transforming ordinary citizens into armed defenders.
Polykar's admission underscores a shifting paradigm in diaspora Jewish life, where reliance on police protection is increasingly viewed skeptically. As he prepares to address a conference on global antisemitism next month, his words echo the sentiment of many: in an era of emboldened hatred, personal armament may be the last line of defense. Whether this sparks policy reforms in Europe or heightens cultural divides remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Polykar's burden is now shared by a community on high alert.
