Wall Street Journal
Photos: Israel Bardugo
PARIS—France dispatched thousands of police and troops to protect synagogues and Jewish schools and pledged to strengthen counterterrorism measures, as the government on Monday warned of more threats following last week’s deadly violence.
Security forces remained on the highest state of alert as the investigation continued into three attacks over three days that left 17 people dead, sending shock waves around the world.
Investigators are looking into the possibility that one of the gunmen killed last week, Amedy Coulibaly, was initially targeting a Jewish school south of Paris before he shot and killed a policewoman nearby, according to Paris prosecutors. Authorities are also hunting for anyone who may have assisted Mr. Coulibaly or the other suspects, brothers Said and Chérif Kouachi.
Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said 4,700 police officers and gendarmes will protect possible targets of anti-Semitic attacks. Up to 10,000 soldiers are also being deployed around France and are available to help secure Jewish schools and synagogues.
The increased security was highly visible in Sarcelles, a surbub north of Paris that is home to over 10,000 Jews including Yohan Cohen, one of the victims of the supermarket attack.
Two heavily armed police guards patrolled in front of the Grand Synagogue de Sarcelles, while four vans filled with more police were parked nearby. Another van with guards was parked near the Les Flanades mall, which is home to many Jewish businesses.
“We need the police, but their presence makes me even more worried. Anytime there are police on the streets like this, it means that something’s wrong,” said Laurent Berros, the rabbi at the grand synagogue. “We are under constant threat.”
South of Paris, police guarded the Yaguel Yaacov school, located just a couple blocks from where the policewoman, Clarissa Jean-Philippe, was killed on Thursday. Private security guards checked the identification of people as they approached the building.
The nursery and elementary school, founded in 1991, has 230 children enrolled, but many were absent on Monday, said school director Catherine Hacoun.
“Even if we know that the government is doing everything they can to protect us, we are very worried and the children are traumatized,” she said.
Jewish Leaders should NOT be using expressions like “worried”
This emboldens the Muslim terrorists. These Muslims
want to worry everyone. I would also urge all
Jewish websites to refrain from publishing quotes of
fear and worry.
If you look carefully you can see that there is another soldier outside behind the older boy. I would expect there are more soldiers outside the outside fence as well.
There is only one cheder that does that. Bizarre as we say in French.
that was very of comment #1
at least they are doing something showing that they want to help
he tried to go to the school?
agree, thats why they have rear view mirrors on their tanks so they can watch the action
Utza aitza visufar
Moshiach Now!
Ad mosai!!!????
OT and ULY take note! The Rebbe/teacher is sitting on a raised platform! Is that good or bad for chinuch? (Reminds me of a pharmacist who stands on a raised platform).
Shouldn’t they be outside?
In the early 70’s I lived in Germany and also visited Austria. I was not yet observant then but did want to go to shul on Yom Kippur. Both in Munich and Vienna there were police vans in front of the shul and in Vienna the street was additionally closed to vehicular traffic. While I was glad the government was protecting the Jews, it made me very sad that such protection was necessary. I have the same feeling about seeing the French soldiers in our school.
for 18 days!!
After that they have to be paid to stay!!
This is only temporary, every time something happens we get police protection. Hollande is posturing while the eyes of the world are upon Paris.
As soon as they deem it safe the protection will disappear.
This is CRAZY. was expecting to see a nice, cute pic of the day.
I think it would be wise to blur the children’s faces
The French are the first ones to run off.