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| Europe |
| Synagogue vandalized in southwestern France |
| 2002-12-06 |
| Vandals broke into a synagogue in southwestern France, ransacking the sanctuary and destroying holy books, police and Jewish leaders said Thursday. The attack on the synagogue of Perigueux, in the Dordogne region, occurred before dawn Wednesday after worshippers and officials already had left. It came during the eight-day Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, which ends sundown Friday. Rolph Hammel, one of the synagogue's officials, said the vandals ripped apart paintings and holy books inside the temple and stole money hidden in an office. The synagogue is 50 yards from the town's police headquarters and municipal offices. "Legume, did you notice anything usual about le synagogue down the street?" "Yes, M. le Inspecteur. All les Jews were wearing turbans!" "Ahah! Anything else?" "They were building a bonfire of their holy books in the parking lot..." "Oui. Legume, make a note! Tomorrow we must speak sternly to the rabbi about this violation of the fire ordinances! Such impertinence is intolerable!" It was the first reported attack on a Jewish target in France in several months, after a wave of violence against Jewish schools, temples and cemeteries that coincided with new fighting in the Middle East. In the most serious of more than 400 incidents, a synagogue in southern Marseille was burned down in March. Separately Thursday, Interior Minister Nicholas Sarkozy urged legislators to back a proposed law that would toughen penalties for anti-Semitic and racist acts. The bill is to go before parliament next week. "Racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia are insults to the ideals of the country," Sarkozy told lawmakers. He was not referring specifically to the synagogue attack. No, I suppose he wouldn't. Might make someone with a turban mad at him... |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #1 Okay, so breaking and entering, vandalism, and theft AREN'T already covered by french laws? |
| Posted by: Ptah 2002-12-06 14:38:12 |