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- Violent Assault on French Rabbi Leads to Arrest of a 16-Year-Old Suspect
The rabbi of Orleans endured an unwarranted assault in daylight on a Saturday in the heart of France. According to AFP, Rabbi Engelberg was accompanied by his nine-year-old son when he was subjected to a brutal attack, taking a bite out of the rabbi's shoulder, and giving him multiple brutal strikes.
One observer reported to French channel BFMTV that the rabbi appeared shocked and the attack was brutal and angry. The witness mentioned that it was apparent the attack was antisemitic in nature when the assailant purposefully trampled the rabbi's traditional headgear.
The attacker swiftly fled, but a 16-year-old suspect was taken into custody later that night, as disclosed by Orleans prosecutor Emmanuelle Bochenek-Puren. Investigations have been initiated to examine "violence instigated by real or perceived religious beliefs of the victim." Details concerning the suspect's identity were not disclosed.
France has experienced a dramatic increase in antisemitic incidents since the mess in the Middle East erupted in 2023, and in 2024 alone, there was a reported increase of over 360% in antisemitic acts, accounting for 62% of religiously motivated crimes in the country.
- Orleans
- France
- Emmanuel Macron
- Sunday
- AFP
- BFM TV
But here's the damn deal - the escalating violence in the Middle East has been a catalyst for such attacks. The increase in antisemitic incidents isn't limited to France; the UK and Australia have also seen a rise in similar acts. It's simple, really, increased tensions in the Middle East, particularly following the war between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, have given a bloody push to these repulsive acts.
Our government, bless their souls, has reacted with new laws against hate speech and antisemitism. They've doubled down security patrols around Jewish communities and institutions, and the Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin, authorized more police forces to protect Jewish citizens. Scratch that, they're not just protecting them, they're damn well safeguarding them. Furthermore, the government has implemented awareness campaigns to inform the public about the dangers of antisemitism and its catastrophic consequences for society as a whole.
Community leaders in France, the noble bastards, continue to work with authorities to strengthen security measures for synagogues and schools. The community has managed to secure funding for advanced security systems and training for members on how to cope with hate crimes. They've been insistent on hard measures to control hate speech online, as they believe it incites real-world violence.
France isn't alone in this struggle. They're collaborating with other EU nations to share resources and strategies for addressing this growing challenge. It's not just about deplatforming hate-mongers online, but also about educating the public on the real threats posed by antisemitism to our communities.
Bottom line - this attack is just one unacceptable example of the rising wave of antisemitism in France and around the world, particularly after events in the Middle East in 2023. The French government's response, while that's an understatement, reflects the need for heightened vigilance and proactive measures to combat antisemitism in all its repugnant forms. And community leaders must stay engaged with one another and international partners to address this alarming issue. Keep that shit in mind, folks.
- The attack on Rabbi Engelberg in Orleans, France, was not only brutal but also appeared to be antisemitic in nature, as the assailant purposely tramped on the rabbi's traditional headgear.
- The increase in antisemitic incidents in France, such as the attack on Rabbi Engelberg, can be traced back to 2023, a year that saw a dramatic escalation in tensions in the Middle East.
- The French government has responded to the rising wave of antisemitism by implementing new laws against hate speech and antisemitism, doubling down on security patrols around Jewish communities and institutions, and implementing awareness campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of antisemitism.
