Palestinian authorities apprehended an individual accused of carrying out the 1982 anti-Semitic bombing in Paris.
In a significant development, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot recently met with the families of the 28 victims of the 1982 antisemitic attack on the Jo Goldenberg restaurant in Paris to inform them of the latest progress in the case.
The arrest of Hicham Harb, a 70-year-old suspect believed to have led the attackers, has been confirmed by the French anti-terror prosecutor. This arrest, which coincides with France's push for the recognition of a Palestinian state at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, has been hailed as a 'major procedural breakthrough.'
Harb, who has been the subject of an international arrest warrant for 10 years, was arrested by the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank. Another suspect, Mahmoud Khader Abou Adra, is also suspected of having supervised the attack and being one of the gunmen.
The attack began around midday with a grenade thrown into the dining room of the restaurant. Men entered the establishment, which had around 50 customers, and opened fire with Wz-63 Polish-made machine guns. They also shot at passers-by as they escaped.
Abou Zayed, a 66-year-old Norwegian of Palestinian origin, is believed to be one of the gunmen in the attack. He has been in custody in France since his extradition from Norway at the end of 2020.
France charges Abou Zayed in connection with the deadly attack, and a French judge ordered a trial for the six suspects in July. Two of them are in France, while four others are subject to arrest warrants.
President Emmanuel Macron expressed his desire for the suspect's swift extradition, and the French anti-terror prosecutor thanked the Palestinian authorities for their cooperation.
The deadly attack in France's Marais district since World War II is blamed on the Palestinian militant group Abu Nidal Organization. The announcement of Harb's arrest comes as France is set to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly on Monday.
The lawyers for the suspect extradited from Norway, Bruno Gendrin and Romain Ruiz, plan to request the reopening of the judicial investigation. Romain Boulet, one of the lawyers representing the families of the victims, believes the arrest allows for a full examination of the facts.
Jean-Noel Barrot emphasized France's determination to ensure justice is done, stating that the arrest is the result of the process initiated by President Emmanuel Macron. The families of the victims await the full outcome of the trial with hope for closure and justice.
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