A rally in support of the Jewish community was held on Friday in Paris. Acts of anti-Semitism have increased by 300% since the start of the year. The arsonist was required to leave French territory.
The wave of anti-Semitism which has shaken France for several weeks in connection with the war in Gaza crossed a new threshold this Friday: the synagogue in Rouen (Seine-Maritime) was partially burned. If No casualties were reporteddamage was noted and will require rehabilitation work.
This attack immediately sparked a shock wave in France as well as in the Jewish community. In Paris, at Place la République, some 200 people gathered on Friday at the call of Jewish students. Some displayed French and Israeli flags. Protesters lit candles for the start of Shabbat.
The mayor of Paris Hidalgo was also present. Here is what Anne Hidalgo said: “We will not touch a Jew’s hair, we will not touch synagogues, nor other places of worship, whether mosques, churches, temples. We will not touch it because it is our freedom. It is our joy of living.” in diversity, in this diversity and in this tolerance which is and constitutes the DNA of this city.”
300% increase in anti-Semitic acts
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said this month that the sharp increase in anti-Semitic acts in France that followed Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7 has continued this year. The authorities recorded 366 anti-Semitic acts during the first three months of 2024an increase of 300% compared to the same period last year, Attal said.
More than 1,200 anti-Semitic acts were reported in the last three months of 2023, three times more than in all of 2022, he said.
Attacker shot dead by police
While the police continue their investigations into the circumstances of this attack, which has not been described as terrorist at this stage, the profile of the arsonist is now known. He is an Algerian national, who arrived in France in 2020 and who was subject to an obligation to leave the territory after having been denied the right to asylum. The man was not on S file and had no criminal record in France.
According to the first elements of the investigation, the arsonist managed to evade surveillance of the building and managed to throw an incendiary device into the building. Quickly spotted, the assailant was shot dead by a police officer despite several summons ordering him to surrender. The man was armed with a knife and a metal bar and was about to attack a police officer.
The French Interior Minister who visited the scene declared that the attack was “clearly” anti-Semitic and announced that the police officer who neutralized the arsonist would be decorated for his bravery.
A double investigation has been opened, one of which will establish the exact circumstances of the neutralization of the attacker.