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However, Rafi Zaouch, emissary for the World Bnei Akiva movement and the Jewish Agency in France, vehemently rejected the contention that the incident was not an anti-Semitic attack. He noted in a statement released Thursday that although one of the perpetrators is of Jewish descent, he was raised in accordance with Islamic norms.
"The young suspect is Jewish according to Judaism, but grew up and was educated by Muslims," said Zaouch. "The young suspect was never part of the Jewish Community."
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The incident began with three Muslim/African immigrants who reportedly began throwing chestnuts and shouting anti-Semitic remarks in Arabic at the counselors, all of whom were wearing yarmulkes, just as they were finishing the Sabbath afternoon prayer service. The attackers, they said, yelled out remarks such as, "Dirty Jew" and other such epithets.
Approximately a dozen youths then approached the skull-cap wearing worshippers, according to a statement issued by the movement in
"The police claim that the attack was not anti-Semitic, since one of the attackers comes from a Jewish family, whereas tens of the attackers were Muslim and yelling anti-Semitic remarks and speaking Arabic. How can anyone claim that it was a gang fight?" demanded Zaouch. "These three young teens were on their way to an educational activity and never met the attackers. The attackers, who met these three boys for the first time, did not try to steal, but to cause violence."
The victims, Dan Nabet, Kevin Bitan and David Buaziz, suffered a broken nose, a broken jaw and several wounds that required stitches. All three required treatment at the local hospital.
Interestingly, Zaouch claimed in his statement that the French police tried to force the Bnei Akiva teens to accidentally voice a racist, anti-Muslim remark. "The police officers cross-examined them and said remarks such as, 'They smell, those Muslims, eh?' The teens did not speak anything of the above.
"The French public was not comfortable with the attack, therefore there was a sigh of relief when the media announced that the attacker was Jewish (even though he was one of tens) and claimed that it was a gang fight. The French media now claims that it is all the Jews' fault and that once again the Jewish community made a false accusation."
World Bnei Akiva Expresses Outrage, Considers Self-Defense Classes
The World Bnei Akiva organization expressed outrage in a separate statement supporting Zaouch and the testimony of the three boys who were attacked.
"The attack was anti-Semitic," said the statement bluntly.
"The World Bnei Akiva movement is in constant contact with the families and is considering further activity of the movement in France as [a] result of the attacks. World Bnei Akiva secretary general, Ze'ev Schwartz advised the movement in France to start a self defense class for the Bnei Akiva participants.
"The Israeli martial arts 'Krav Maga' class will take place at central Bnei Akiva branch in the 19th quarter in Paris," concluded the statement.
ADL, French Groups Urge Extra Security for High Holidays
A similar attack occurred in the same neighborhood on June 22, when 17-year-old Rudy Haddad was attacked as he was leaving a synagogue after Sabbath prayers. The teen was severely injured.
The Bureau of Vigilance against Anti-Semitism, which monitors anti-Semitic incidents in
The Anti-Defamation League called on French police to provide heightened security for the Jewish community for the upcoming holidays following the attack.
“In view of this incident, the previous attack and the approaching Jewish High Holidays, it is especially important for the government of