New French Taxi App Offers Safety and Comfort for Hebrew Speakers in France
As antisemitism rises across Europe, particularly in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict, Jewish travelers to France are increasingly turning to a new app designed specifically for Hebrew speakers. Monite, a French taxi service founded by three Franco-Israelis, is gaining traction among Israelis visiting or residing in France who seek to navigate the country with greater peace of mind.
Monite functions similarly to popular services like Uber, but with a notable difference: it connects passengers with taxi drivers who speak Hebrew and are attuned to Jewish customs and sensitivities. This personalized approach has made it an invaluable service for those who, like Levana, a French-Israeli woman, seek reassurance when traveling through a country where rising antisemitic sentiment has made daily activities more fraught.
“I’ve always been anxious about using taxis in France, especially when I’m alone,” Levana shared. Her anxieties were compounded by the eruption of the Israel-Hamas conflict in 2023, which left many Israelis and Jewish people across the globe feeling more vulnerable. “Since October 7, things have become really complicated, the doubts and the fear are much more intense,” she added.
However, after discovering Monite, Levana found a new sense of security. “Someone told me about this app, I tried it, and what a joy it is to feel safe. It’s priceless,” she said. For her, Monite has transformed an everyday experience into a much-needed source of reassurance in an increasingly polarized environment.
Responding to a Growing Need
Monite was launched in September 2024 with the goal of offering a taxi service tailored to the needs of Hebrew-speaking passengers. The app allows users to select drivers who not only understand the language but also share a cultural connection with their passengers. This was particularly important for the app’s founders, who recognized a growing sense of unease within the Israeli and Jewish communities, especially in Europe.
“Many Israelis told us that it had become complicated to travel abroad, that they were afraid to say they came from Israel and felt a bit of insecurity,” explained Ilan Amar, one of Monite’s co-founders. The app quickly gained popularity among Israeli visitors to France, who were looking for a way to feel safer while traveling in cities like Paris, where antisemitic incidents have been on the rise.
The rise in demand for Monite has been closely linked to an uptick in antisemitic attacks and discrimination across France, which has been home to one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe. According to recent reports, the French Jewish community has faced a growing sense of hostility, with incidents ranging from verbal abuse to physical violence.
Monite: A Response to Antisemitism in France
Monite’s appeal goes beyond just Israelis—it has found a significant following among France’s Jewish population. With antisemitism in France at its highest levels in decades, Jewish citizens have reported feeling increasingly unsafe in public spaces. The app provides a much-needed solution, offering not only a safe means of transportation but also a sense of community and solidarity with drivers who are familiar with Jewish culture and traditions.
“Monite is more than just a taxi service; it’s a lifeline for people who want to feel protected,” said one of the app’s early adopters. As the app’s user base continues to grow, it becomes clear that Monite is addressing an urgent need for Jewish people, both visitors and residents, to feel secure in a society that is increasingly hostile.
Expanding Beyond the Intended Audience
While Monite was initially designed for Hebrew-speaking Israelis, its popularity is beginning to extend beyond that core group. The app’s focus on cultural understanding and safety has made it a practical choice for Jewish travelers from various countries, many of whom share similar concerns about traveling in Europe. The user-friendly platform allows passengers to feel confident that their drivers understand not only their language but also their customs and values, creating a more comfortable and less stressful travel experience.
Ilan Amar and his co-founders had not anticipated the widespread appeal of their app. They initially thought it would be used primarily by Israelis, but the positive response from the broader Jewish community has shown them that there is a much larger demand for this type of service.
A Reflection of Larger Social Issues
The success of Monite highlights a larger issue facing Jewish communities in Europe today. As antisemitism continues to rise, Jewish individuals are increasingly feeling the need for services and spaces where they can feel secure and supported. Monite provides a solution that bridges the gap between cultural understanding and safety, offering something beyond just transportation—it offers peace of mind.
For Levana, Monite has not only made her trips around France easier but also more empowering. “It’s not just about getting from point A to point B,” she said. “It’s about feeling like I’m not alone, and that there are people who understand and care about my safety.”
Monite’s success speaks to the wider desire for more inclusive, culturally sensitive services in today’s complex social landscape. As the app continues to grow, it’s clear that the founders have tapped into a significant and urgent need—a need that goes far beyond just transportation.
