Alleged rape of 12-year-old Jewish girl sparks antisemitism outcry in France
CNN
Politicians from all sides have weighed in, with French President Emmanual Macron condemning a “scourge of antisemitism,” and far-right leaders blaming the left.
The alleged gang-rape of a 12-year-old Jewish girl in northern France has triggered an outcry over surging antisemitism in the country, a key issue in the looming French parliamentary elections this month. Politicians from all sides have weighed in on the alleged attack, with French President Emmanual Macron condemning a “scourge of antisemitism” that he said is festering in French schools, and far-right leaders placing blame on the left for failing to take anti-semitism seriously enough. The Nanterre prosecutor’s office announced Wednesday that it has launched an inquiry into the alleged “aggravated rape” of a minor, after receiving “reports from a 12-year-old girl” of the incident on June 15. Three boys, aged 12 and 13, have been taken into custody, the prosecutor also said. Whether the girl was targeted for her religion is part of the probe, with two of the boys now being investigated for aggravated gang rape of a minor, group violence against a minor for reasons of religion, death threats and insult for reasons of religion, according to the prosecutor’s statement. The third boy has been placed under “assisted witness” status in relation to the alleged rape, the prosecutor added.
