Tragedy Strikes French School: Teacher Murdered, Terrorism Suspected
- Posted on October 14, 2023
- International Conflict and Politics
- By Arijit Dutta
- 308 Views
French authorities have been placed on high alert following a tragic school stabbing in France, in which a teacher was brutally killed by an ex-student suspected of Islamic radicalization. In response, the French government has mobilized 7,000 soldiers to enhance security across the nation.
French authorities have been placed on high alert
following a tragic school stabbing in France, in which a teacher was brutally
killed by an ex-student suspected of Islamic radicalization. In response, the
French government has mobilized 7,000 soldiers to enhance security across the
nation.
The assailant, armed with a knife, tragically stabbed a
teacher to death and left three others wounded at the Gambetta-Carnot School in
Arras city. This incident is currently under investigation for potential
terrorism, evoking painful memories of the 2020 beheading of teacher Samuel
Paty, who was targeted for showing controversial cartoons of the Prophet
Mohammad to his students.
The suspected attacker, of Chechen origin and a former
student at the school, had been under surveillance by intelligence agencies due
to concerns of radicalization. He is currently in custody, along with several
others, as stated by prosecutors. Silman Hamzi, a police officer who was the
first to arrive at the scene, reported that the assailant shouted 'Allahu
Akbar' as he initiated the attack.
The deceased teacher, Dominique Bernard, taught French
language at the Gambetta-Carnot school, which caters to students aged 11-18.
Another teacher, a cleaning worker, and a security guard are in critical
condition due to the stabbing, according to police and a counter-terrorism
prosecutor.
In response to this tragic event, the French government
has heightened the national threat alert. President Emmanuel Macron has ordered
the deployment of up to 7,000 soldiers across the country until further notice
to bolster security and vigilance.
"The decision has been made not to give in to
terror," stressed Macron. We must remain together and keep in mind that
the struggle against ignorance is centered on education and the dissemination
of information.
As the school reopened, some students and staff returned
under police protection. Classes remained canceled, but the school reopened for
those seeking support or coming together in the wake of this traumatic event.
The attack sent shockwaves through France, occurring amidst global tensions
sparked by the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The motive of the suspected attacker remains unclear, and he is reportedly refusing to cooperate with investigators. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin mentioned that he was detained for questioning based on monitoring his recent phone calls, but no signs of an imminent attack were found.
Additionally, French intelligence agencies suggested a
potential link between the Israel-Hamas war and the stabbing incident. There
have been at least 12 detentions near schools and places of worship since the
Hamas attack.
France, home to the world's third-largest Jewish population after Israel and the United States, also boasts the largest Muslim population in Western Europe. In response to unrest related to the Israel-Hamas war and a surge in anti-Semitic activities, Darmanin has banned pro-Palestinian protests. He further urged authorities to tighten security around Jewish schools, synagogues, and other sites while stating that people who defy the ban should be arrested to prevent disruptions to public order.
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Since the Hamas attack, the Macron administration has
reported 24 arrests in connection with more than 100 anti-Semitic events in
France. Near Jewish schools, several people were found carrying knives, and a
drone was seen flying above a Jewish cultural institution. An internet
monitoring group has received almost 2,000 reports of anti-Semitic speech.
Notably, President Macron mentioned that 13 French citizens were killed in Israel during the Hamas attack, and 17 others are missing, believed to have been captured and taken hostage by militants. The Paris prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into these suspected kidnappings.