Amid the troubling rise in antisemitic incidents across Europe—particularly following the October 7 massacre and Operation Iron Swords—a new initiative has emerged, offering Jewish travelers a sense of safety and familiarity on the road: the app Monite.
The app, the brainchild of three French-Israeli entrepreneurs, provides a dedicated taxi service aimed at easing the understandable concerns many Jews have about navigating public spaces.
Hebrew-Speaking Drivers
Monite operates in a model similar to popular ride-hailing apps like Uber, but with a key difference: its drivers speak Hebrew, are attuned to the cultural sensitivities of Jewish passengers, and are familiar with Jewish customs. Since its launch in September, the app has gained traction and now has more than 15,000 users across major French cities including Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and Nice.
A Familiar and Safe Ride
Ilan Amar, one of the platform’s co-founders, says the idea grew from a real and pressing need among people who are afraid to reveal their Israeli or Jewish identity while traveling. Monite aims to create a space where they can feel safe and at ease.
Kevin Cohen, a Monite driver in Paris, shared that passengers often express relief and satisfaction knowing they can be themselves without fear.
Looking Beyond France
The company emphasizes that its driver recruitment process includes particularly strict screening to ensure passenger safety. Encouraged by its success in France and growing demand, Monite is now planning to expand to additional countries with large Jewish populations facing security challenges, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Spain.
