AJC Condemns Brutal Attack on Two Jews in France

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May 25, 2014, 08:08 ET

NEW YORK, May 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC strongly condemns the horrific attack today in Creteil, near Paris, against two brothers, ages 21 and 18, wearing kippahs and walking toward a synagogue.

The French Ministry of Interior has confirmed the tragic incident.

Reports indicate that both individuals were severely beaten with brass knuckles, but, fortunately, are expected to recover. As of now, no suspects have been identified.

This assault follows yesterday's tragedy in Brussels, where four people were killed at the Jewish Museum. Belgian authorities are searching for the perpetrators.

"One anti-Semitic tragedy on the heels of another underscores the very real dangers for Jews today in the heart of Europe, even as we recognize that the governments stand steadfastly against any such manifestations," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "Clearly, far more still needs to be done -- from beefing up security at Jewish institutions to stronger intelligence-gathering, from tougher judicial action to, in the longer term, better education in the school systems for fostering a climate of mutual respect."

AJC has been relentlessly calling attention to the growing menace of anti-Semitism in Europe since 2000, when a noticeable rise took place. Most recently, AJC took out a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal on May 13th to highlight the issue, while French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, speaking the day before at the AJC Global Forum, forcefully condemned all forms of anti-Semitism and said the government would not tolerate any such hateful acts.

AJC Paris director Simone Rodan is in very close touch with French government officials and Jewish community leaders in response to today's attack in Creteil.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee