Vandals hurled Molotov cocktails at a synagogue in a Paris suburb yesterday in the latest outbreak of anti-Semitic violence in France since the start of Israel’s Gaza offensive.
The main entrance door to the synagogue at Villeneuve-St-Georges, southeast of Paris, was damaged by fire and a police source said it remained unclear whether one or several of the bombs were thrown.
Home to Europe’s biggest Muslim and Jewish populations, France has recorded more than 55 anti-Semitic incidents since Israel launched its Gaza offensive last month, drawing appeals for calm from politicians and religious leaders. Three other synagogues have been firebombed in the past two weeks and vandals have sprayed anti-Israeli graffiti on at least two other Jewish places of worship.
The attacks come despite the government’s pledge there will be zero tolerance for anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim acts.
“Those who want to import violence between different communities into France will find the state on their tracks,” Nicolas Sarkozy, the French President, said on Wednesday at a New Year’s address to police in Orleans, central France.
His comments reflect the government’s concern to prevent anger over the conflict in Gaza spilling over into violence in France. “The level of tolerance will be zero tolerance,” Mr. Sarkozy said. “We will not let the consequences of this conflict be imported into France.”
Jewish organizations say there have been dozens of attacks against synagogues and other sites since Israel began its bombardment of Gaza on Dec. 27. Violence against Muslims has also been reported.
This week, police opened an investigation into the case of three young people of North African origin who said they were attacked by Israel supporters outside a school in the 16th district of Paris. The three said they were assaulted by activists of the radical Jewish Defence League who were distributing tracts.
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SYNAGOGUE INCIDENTS
Jan. 15 Villeneuve-St-Georges, near Paris: Firebombs damage front door of synagogue. Jan. 14 Mulhouse, Alsace: “Death to Israel,” “Long live Palestine” and “F–k France” scrawled on synagogue wall. Jan. 13 Lille, Nord: Swastika and ZOG (for Zionist
Occupation Government) painted near door of synagogue. Jan. 11 Bischheim, Alsace: Molotov cocktails thrown at synagogue. St.-Denis, Paris: Molotov cocktails thrown at synagogue, windows broken. Jan. 10 Villiers-sur-Marne, near Paris: Police find rifle and ammunition at synagogue entrance.
Jan. 8 Paris: Yellowish liquid thrown at synagogue. Sedan, Ardennes: Windows broken, cross sprayed on wall. Jan. 7 Paris: Posters with slogan “Get out of Gaza — ZZ” stuck to synagogue.
Jan. 6 Lingolsheim, Alsace: Front door of synagogue sprayed with “Assassins!” and “Long Live Israeli Democracy.” Jan. 3 Metz, Lorraine: During pro-Palestinian march, 200 youths try to march on synagogue; kept back by police. Toulon, Provence: A car is set on fire in synagogue parking lot. Villeurbanne, near Paris: Windows broken in synagogue
Union des etudiants des juifs de France, Agence France-Presse
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