Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has issued a directive to prefects, requesting enhanced security in front of Jewish places of worship and religious schools.
This decision comes in the wake of the recent attack by Iran against Israel and ahead of the upcoming Passover holidays, scheduled to take place from April 22 to 30.
In a telegram dated Sunday, April 14, Darmanin emphasized that the security forces alone cannot carry out these tasks and urged the requisition of sentinel soldiers for this purpose.
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As the Jewish festival of Passover, or Pessah, approaches, the Interior Minister has called for increased attention to services and gatherings that traditionally attract large audiences.
Darmanin also stressed the need for systematic static guards to be stationed in front of religious schools, focusing on student entry and exit times. Additionally, he has requested regular visits by police and gendarmerie forces in front of specialized businesses.
The decision to bolster security measures comes as a response to the “very high level of the terrorist threat,” the persistently high number of anti-Semitic acts, and the ongoing tensions at the international level, including the recent attack by Iran on Israel.
The Minister of the Interior outlined these reasons in the telegram, highlighting the importance of proactive measures to ensure the safety of Jewish communities.
During the night from Saturday to Sunday, Iran launched an attack on Israel, according to the Israeli army. Tehran deployed a range of projectiles, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, rockets, and drones.
While most of the ballistic missiles caused minimal damage to an active military base, several minor injuries were reported, along with a 7-year-old girl who was placed in intensive care.
France has confirmed its support for Israel, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Séjourné, stating that French bases in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates were instrumental in assisting Israel.
He emphasized that the Iranian attack not only targeted Israel but also endangered the security of French forces and compromised the airspace of Arab partners.
The world now anxiously awaits Israel’s response, as the situation in the Middle East becomes increasingly volatile. The recent attack by Iran has heightened concerns and raised fears of further escalation.
The international community is closely monitoring the developments in the region, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing tensions.
