France Gears up for Passover: Police on Alert

It's a sad commentary, but as Passover approaches, the French police are beefing up security for their Jewish citizens, especially in the wake of Iran's attack against Israel.

The below article from today's Le Figaro is translated by Fousesquawk.

 https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/frappes-contre-israel-darmanin-demande-un-renforcement-de-la-securite-devant-lieux-de-culte-et-ecoles-juifs-20240414

Strikes against Israel: Darmanin asks for security reinforcement at places of worship and Jewish schools

By Le Figaro

Posted yesterday at 23:01

Caption: Minister of Interior Gerald Darmanin

At the approach of the Passover holidays, the Minister of Interior has asked prefects to provide a "stationary and visible" police presence in front of places of worship and " the most sensitive and emblematic" buildings.

On Sunday, the Minister of Interior, Gerald Darmanin, asked prefects to reinforce security in front of Jewish places of worship, as well as in front of religious schools, the day after the attack carried out by Iran against Israel and in anticipation of the Passover holidays. The minister is asking prefects to provide a "stationary and visible" presence of police in front of places of worship and "the most sensitive and emblematic" buildings.

"The security forces (police and Gendarmerie, editor's note), of course, cannot carry out these missions alone," the minister writes in a telegram dated Sunday. "You will also need to requisition the Sentinel soldiers for this purpose," he adds. On the approach of Passover, the Jewish Easter (22-30 April), he asks them to pay particular attention to the "religious services and gatherings that traditionally concentrate large numbers of people."

"Stationary Guards" and " regular visits"

The Minister of Interior is also asking that "stationary guards be placed in front of  religious schools (beginning) Monday, systematically, at the hours of pupils entering and leaving." Gerald Dramanin is also calling for the establishment of "regular visits by the police and Gendarmerie," at "specialized businesses".

This decision was taken due to the "very high level of terrorist threat", "the continuing high level of acts of an anti-Semitic character," and "the persistence of tensions at the international level, including the attack by Iran upon Israel," during the night of Saturday to Sunday, he detailed in the telegram.

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