Paris synagogue.
Paris synagogue.

Paris's mayor is being asked to protect the city's Jews following an attack on three Bnei Akiva Jewish youth group counselors Saturday on a street in Paris' 19th District, in the city's northeast end. The youths were outside a Bnei Akiva branch, and were about to go on an activity sponsored by the Bnei Akiva youth movement and the Jewish Agency.

According to Rafi Zaush, who represents both organizations: "The attackers threw chestnuts at the boys. One of the boys asked: 'Why are you attacking us?' The attackers answered with anti-Semitic shouts in Arabic. The three attackers then brought a group of 10 to 12 youths with brass knuckles who attacked the Jewish youths until the police came. The attackers fled."

'Happens all the time'

The injured boys are Dan Nevet, Kevin Bitan and Favid Buaziz. They are in the hospital and are suffering from fractures, mostly in the face. Their lives are not in danger.

"I regret to say that this thing happens all of the time," Zaush said.

Police have launched an investigation and have succeeded in identifying three of the attackers

A similar attack occurred in the same area on June 22 when Rudy Haddad, a 17-year-old Jewish youth, was severely injured as he was leaving a nearby synagogue after Saturday’s prayer.

as Muslim immigrants from Africa. The police are treating the incident as racially motivated. 

'Protect the Jews'

Following the attack, a group monitoring anti-Semitic incidents in France urged Paris's mayor to reinforce police in the area, in view of the upcoming Jewish High Holidays. The Bureau of Vigilance against anti-Semitism stressed the growing feeling of insecurity among Jews living in the district's Buttes de Chaumont area.



A spokesman for the Interior Minister said Sunday that the minister condemns "with the utmost firmness the anti-Semitic violence against young Jews going to the synagogue."



A similar attack occurred in the same area on June 22 when Rudy Haddad, a 17-year-old Jewish youth, was severely injured as he was leaving a nearby synagogue after Saturday’s prayer.