Gérald Darmanin asks prefects to strengthen protection of the Jewish community

The Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, asked the prefects to strengthen protection measures for the Jewish community after the events of recent days in Gaza, according to a note consulted by France Télévisions on Saturday March 2, confirming information from the AFP. Minister calls for increased security measures “in phasparticularly with regard to schools..

“Given the high level of the terrorist threat which continues to weigh on our country and the tensions in the Middle East which have experienced a sudden increase in recent days (…) I ask you to please proceed with an immediate strengthening of security measures regarding Jewish community sites”it is specified in this note written on Friday.

“Coordination with the military”

Gérald Darmanin asks the prefects that a “reinforced vigilance” is ensured by the police, “in coordination with the soldiers of Operation Sentinel (…) by a static, visible and systematic presence at the times of arrival and departure of the faithful, during gatherings and services”.

Gérald Darmanin also calls for a “systematic presence of internal security forces near schools during student entry and exit”. He finally calls on the prefects to mobilize “intelligence services on the assessment of threats to public order” and wear a “pay particular attention to possible future demonstrations”.

On Thursday, a distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza turned into tragedy after Israeli fire and a stampede which left 115 dead, according to the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas. The international community has called for an investigation and an immediate ceasefire in the war triggered by the bloody attack carried out on October 7 in southern Israel by Hamas commandos infiltrated from Gaza.