The alleged rape of a 12-year-old Jewish girl sparked anti-Semitism in France

CNN
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Allegations of the gang rape of a 12-year-old Jewish girl by three boys in northern France have sparked an uproar over the country's growing anti-Semitism, a key issue in French parliamentary elections this month.

Politicians from all over have weighed in on the alleged attack, with French President Emmanuel Macron condemning the “curse of anti-Semitism” he says is festering in French schools, and far-right leaders Blaming the left for failing to embrace anti-Semitism. Seriously enough.

Nanterre's prosecutor's office announced Wednesday that it had opened an investigation into an alleged “aggravated rape” of a minor, after receiving “reports from a 12-year-old girl” of the June 15 incident. have done.

The prosecutor also said that three boys aged 12 and 13 have been detained.

Whether the girl was targeted because of her religion is part of the investigation, now gang rape of a minor by two boys, gang violence against a minor because of religion, death threats and religious reasons. An investigation is being carried out for defamation. On the statement of the prosecutor.

The prosecutor added that a third boy has been placed as a “supporting witness” in connection with the alleged rape.

The alleged assault took place when the girl tried to return home after visiting a friend. Two boys approached her and tried to block her way outside her house. After the third boy arrived, the group began physically assaulting the girl, hurling anti-Semitic insults at her, BFMTV reported, citing police sources.

The girl received several death threats and one boy called her a “dirty Jew,” BFMTV reported.

According to figures from the French Interior Ministry, between 2022 and 2023, incidents of anti-Semitism in France have increased by 284 percent. In 2023, anti-Semitism accounted for 60 percent of all anti-religious acts, up from 26 percent in 2022, French Interior Minister Gerald Darman told the French Senate earlier this year.

The incident has sparked a fierce political debate over what politicians say is a growing anti-Semitism problem in France linked to Israel's war in Gaza.

On Wednesday, Jordan Bardella, a brand of the far-right hoping for a big win for his National Rally party in the upcoming election, pledged to end antisemitism if elected within three weeks. will deal with “Since October 7, an atmosphere of anti-Semitism has spread and developed in our country in a very alarming way, which we must confront,” Bardella told reporters.

Bardella's party colleague and far-right juggernaut, Marine Le Pen, said in a post on X that the attack had revolted members of her party, adding to incidents of antisemitism across the country.

Le Pen said the recent escalation in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war revealed a worrying “discrediting” of Jews that “everyone should be fully aware of” when they hit the ballot boxes on June 30 and July 7.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Atal, meanwhile, called the incident “abhorrent” and took direct aim at his left-wing political rival Jean-Luc Melenchon, whom he previously accused of playing down the intensity of anti-Semitism in France. Calling it “remaining”. ” Issue.

Politicians in France have a “responsibility” to ensure that anti-Semitic rhetoric does not become “trivialized,” Atal said in an interview with TF1 Info on Wednesday, warning that if trivialized So it can lead young people especially to the “worst”.

Melenchon, for her part, said she was “appalled by this rape”, saying in a social media post that it “highlighted criminal male behavior and anti-Semitic racism from a young age.”

Voter anger over the issue was palpable on Wednesday, as protesters gathered outside Paris City Hall, BFMTV reported.

Demonstrators carried placards reading “She was raped at age 12 because she was Jewish,” and “No more anti-Semitism” and listened to speeches by Jewish rights activists in attendance.

“All light must be shed on the circumstances of this crime, including its anti-Semitic nature, if it is confirmed,” said Conseil representatif des institutes juives de France (CRIF), the main Jewish interest group in France.