French President Emmanuel Macron and far-right rival Marine Le Pen have both denounced the recent gang rape of a 12-year-old Jewish girl in a Paris suburb, which authorities have classified as an antisemitic attack. The incident occurred in Courbevoie, northwest of Paris, where the young girl was reportedly assaulted by three boys while in a park near her home. The boys, aged 12 and 13, allegedly made antisemitic remarks during the assault.
Following the disturbing incident, Macron expressed concern over the rise of antisemitism in French schools and instructed Education Minister Nicole Belloubet to initiate discussions on racism and hatred towards Jews in educational settings. Macron emphasized the need to prevent hateful speech from infiltrating classrooms and called for immediate action to address the issue.
Le Pen, on the other hand, attributed the surge in antisemitic acts to what she described as the stigmatization of Jews by the far left. She highlighted the need for awareness and unity in combating antisemitism, particularly in light of the upcoming national elections in France.
The two boys involved in the attack have been charged with multiple offenses, including aggravated gang rape, violence, and public insult motivated by religion. The third boy has been named as an assisted witness and placed in a special education program.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin described the attack as 'awful' and emphasized the broader societal issues that contribute to such violence. He acknowledged the limitations of law enforcement in preventing such crimes and called for a collective effort to address the underlying causes.
The incident has sparked public outrage, with hundreds of people gathering in front of Paris City Hall to protest antisemitism. The community has come together to condemn the heinous crime and show support for the victim and her family.
In response to the incident, French leaders and officials have reaffirmed their commitment to combating antisemitism and ensuring justice for the victim. The case has underscored the urgent need for greater awareness and action to address antisemitism and hate crimes in French society.
