Boys Charged in Alleged Antisemitic Gang Rape of 12-Year-Old Girl

PARIS, June 19, 2024 — In a harrowing incident that has sent shockwaves through France, two adolescent boys have been charged with the gang rape of a 12-year-old Jewish girl in what authorities are calling an antisemitic attack. The assault, which took place in the Paris suburb of Courbevoie, has ignited widespread outrage and prompted calls for urgent action against rising antisemitism in the country.

The girl reported the attack to the police on Saturday, leading to the detention of three boys, aged 12 and 13. According to the regional prosecutor's office, two of the boys have been given multiple preliminary charges, including aggravated gang rape of a minor under 15, violence and public insult motivated by religion, death threats, attempted extortion, and unlawfully recording or broadcasting sexual images. The third boy has been named as an assisted witness and placed in a special education program.

The prosecutor's office has not disclosed the girl's identity or religion, adhering to standard practices for hate crimes in France. However, French media and local officials have identified the attack as antisemitic, with the girl being Jewish. Reports indicate that the assailants used antisemitic slurs during the assault, and references to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict were made.

The incident has sparked a wave of condemnation from political leaders across the spectrum. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin described the attack as "awful" and acknowledged the limitations of law enforcement in preventing such violence. "It's a problem of the parents...of authority. It's a problem of society as a whole," he stated on BFM television.

President Emmanuel Macron has called for immediate action to address antisemitism in schools. He urged Education Minister Nicole Belloubet to organize discussions in all schools on the fight against antisemitism and racism. "We must prevent hate speech with serious consequences from infiltrating our schools," Macron said.

The attack comes amid a surge in antisemitic incidents in France, particularly since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict. French Jewish groups have expressed their outrage and called for more robust measures to protect the Jewish community. Elie Korchia, a lawyer and Jewish leader, confirmed in an interview with French broadcaster BFM that the girl is Jewish and that the war in Gaza was referenced during the assault.

The Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF) has urged authorities to shed more light on the circumstances and antisemitic motivation behind the attack. The European Jewish Congress echoed these calls, expressing their thoughts and support for the victim and her family.

The Union of Jewish Students in France also offered their support, stating on social media that "hatred of Israel leads to unsustainable antisemitic violence. Those who deny it are accountable for it." French Chief Rabbi Haim Korsia blamed radical-left parties for the rise in antisemitism, accusing them of inciting hatred instead of calming the situation.

The far-right National Rally party, currently leading in opinion polls ahead of the snap parliamentary elections scheduled for June 30 and July 7, has sought to make security and immigration key campaign issues. The party's leaders have condemned the attack and called for stricter measures to ensure public safety.

In response to the incident, protests against antisemitism were held in front of Paris City Hall, with activists demanding justice and greater protection for the Jewish community. Fondation des Femmes, a women's rights organization, highlighted the intersection of sexism and antisemitism in the crime, stating that "rape is a tool of destruction in the service of hatred."

As the investigation continues, the two boys remain in custody, pending further legal proceedings. The case has underscored the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat antisemitism and protect vulnerable communities in France.