During the brutal sexual attack, the boys called her a “dirty Jew,” threatened her life, interrogated her about her Jewish faith, and asked provocative questions about Israel.
Courbevoie, France – The shocking case of rape and antisemitic violence against a 12-year-old Jewish girl in Courbevoie, a suburb of Paris, has drawn intense scrutiny and widespread condemnation. Three minors, often referred to by the European press as “young people,” often used as a euphemism for Islamic migrants, were arrested by the police.
The Anti-Jewish Attack
On the afternoon of June 15, 2024, a 12-year-old girl who had been spending time with friends was intercepted by two teenage boys, aged 13, as she passed through Henri Regnault Park. One of the boys was known to her as a former boyfriend, and their relationship ended just days before the incident. They coerced her into following them to an abandoned shed where a third boy, aged 12, joined them. During the assault, the boys subjected her to antisemitic slurs, calling her a “dirty Jew” and threatening her life. They interrogated her about her Jewish religion, questioning why she hadn’t disclosed it earlier, and asked provocative questions about Israel.
The victim’s friend later identified two of the three suspects, noting they played together in the same football club. Police investigations revealed antisemitic images on one suspect’s phone, including a photo depicting a burnt Israeli flag. The second suspect claimed the victim had made negative remarks about Palestine.
The boys gang-raped her multiple times, anally and vaginally, also forcing her to perform fellatio. One of the attackers threatened to burn her face with a lighter if she disclosed the assault. The attack left the girl traumatized, but she managed to make her way home and inform her parents. Her friend, who had been with her when the boys initially approached, provided detailed descriptions of the attackers to the police. Security camera footage corroborated their presence at the scene.
Legal Actions
The two 13-year-old boys have been indicted for gang rape, death threats, antisemitic violence, and other related offenses. They are currently under arrest. The 12-year-old suspect has been placed under the status of assisted witness for rape and faces charges for the other crimes. He is currently under a provisional educational measure.
Community and Political Reactions
The incident has triggered a wave of outrage and demonstrations across France. Protesters in cities like Paris have decried the rising tide of antisemitic acts in the country. One of the demonstrations, organized by the collective “Nous Vivrons,” took place at Place de l’Hôtel de Ville in Paris. Approximately 800 attendees, mainly of Jewish faith, gathered within a short timeframe of 24 hours. The demonstration highlighted concerns about the lack of national unity against attacks on Jews, with participants lamenting the absence of support from Islamic and Catholic communities.
Politicians, including Minister of Justice Éric Dupont-Moretti, were present but faced criticism and booing from the crowd, reflecting a widespread sentiment among demonstrators that left-wing political leaders have contributed to escalating attacks on Jews. The event also brought to the surface the massive frustration and sense of abandonment within the Jewish community in France, which feels increasingly marginalized and disillusioned with political reassurances in addressing the growing threat of illegal migrants, leftists, and Islamic supremacists.
Left-wing French President Emmanuel Macron, who has little political support from France’s Jewish community, condemned the attack, calling it an abhorrent crime.
The Jewish community, already on edge due to years of escalating violence and massive amounts of anti-Jewish incidents since October 7, 2023, has been particularly shaken. Yonathan Arfi, president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF), lamented the growing sense of resignation to antisemitism in French society. Chief Rabbi Haïm Korsia expressed horror at the crime and called for firm justice against the perpetrators.
Broader Context
The attack in Courbevoie is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling trend of increasing anti-Jewish violence in France. Official statistics indicate a 300% increase in anti-Jewish acts in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. CRIF reported a significant rise in such incidents, especially following the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
News Link: https://rairfoundation.com/antisemitic-terror-france-12-year-old-jewish-girl/