Hamas-Israel war: Security measures increased at synagogues and Jewish schools in France
The surprise attacks launched against Israel by Hamas groups affiliated with Palestine on Saturday have triggered a war alert in the region. As the whole world focuses on the clashes, France has increased security measures against a possible attack within its borders.
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The Jewish population in France, estimated to be over half a million, is the largest in Europe and the third largest in the world after Israel and the US.
According to euronews; security measures around Jewish places of worship and schools in various cities in France have been increased due to concerns that attacks could occur as a result of the Israel-Hamas war.
Jews in the country say they fear that the war between Israel and Hamas will fuel antisemitism and make them targets of violence.
The Jewish population in France, estimated to be over half a million, is the largest in Europe and the third largest in the world after Israel and the US. Since Arabs also make up 10 percent of the population in the country of 65 million, events in the Middle East significantly affect the agenda.
DREW ATTENTION TO THE VIOLENCE FLARED UP IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Yonathan Arfi, President of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF), said there is "frequently a correlation between the violence flared up in the Middle East and anti-Jewish acts in France."
He stated that attackers like Mohamed Merah, who killed three children and an adult at a Jewish school in Toulouse in 2012, "legitimized their actions with what happened to Palestinian children."
Police protection has been increased in front of a synagogue in the Marais district of Paris, as it has been for many other Jewish places of worship and institutions.
'JEWS ARE ANXIOUS'
Speaking in front of the synagogue, Ady Walter said he feared the conflict would spread to the Middle East, but was also worried that Jews in France "could be targeted."
Stating that he asked his son to remove the kippah worn by Orthodox Jewish men while crossing the street, Walter said, "You never know who might be in the cars passing by."
SECURITY MEETING AT THE INTERIOR MINISTRY
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on his social media account that they held a security meeting "to protect Jewish citizens from all kinds of threats."
Darmanin had previously instructed security forces to "immediately increase the security and protection of Jewish community buildings in France."
The minister called for the use of soldiers from Operation Sentinelle, a special force deployed across the country after the 2015 terrorist attacks.