2002 Lyon synagogue attack

2002 antisemitic terrorist attack in Lyon, France On 30 March 2002, a group of masked men rammed two cars through the courtyard gates of a synagogue in the La Duchere fr sup neighbourhood of Lyon, France, then rammed one of the cars into the prayer hall before setting the vehicles on fire and causing severe damage to the synagogue. Attack The attack took place at 1:00 am on a Saturday morning; the building was empty at the time. The attackers wore masks or hoods covering their faces, eyewitnesses reported seeing 12 or 15 attackers.Vandals crash cars through French synagogue http://azdailysun.com/vandals-crash-cars-through-french-synagogue/article_a3a07e4c-8d84-55f4-9b2b-5b6bccaee9bb.html 8 August 2016 AP Arizona Daily Sun 30 March 2002Shooting in France in Wave of Anti-Jewish Attacks https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/01/international/europe/01FRAN.html 8 August 2016 New York Times 1 April 2002Horn Heather The Jewish School Shooting and Patterns of Violence https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/03/the-jewish-school-shooting-and-patterns-of-violence/254707/ 8 August 2016 The Atlantic 19 March 2012 It was the first of a series of attacks on Jewish targets in France in a single week – which coincided with the holiday of Passover – including "at least" five synagogues.Diamond Andrew Weekend of anti-Semitism in France https://www.jta.org/2002/04/01/life-religion/features/weekend-of-anti-semitism-in-france 8 August 2016 JTA 1 April 2002 The targeted synagogues include the Or Aviv synagogue in Marseille, which burned to the ground; a synagogue in Strasbourg, where a fire was set that burned the doors and facade of the building before being doused;McNeil Donald France Vows Harsh Action After More Synagogues Burn https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/02/international/europe/02FRAN.html 8 August 2016 New York Times 2 April 2002 and the firebombing of a synagogue in the Paris suburb of Le Kremlin-Bicêtre.Tagliabue John Synagogue In Paris Firebombed; Raids Go On https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/05/world/synagogue-in-paris-firebombed-raids-go-on.html 8 August 2016 New York Times 5 April 2002 One of the attackers was arrested and sentenced to two years in prison. Response The French Jewish community viewed the attacks as acts of "terrorism". Maurice Obadia, President of the Jewish Community of La Duchere, said, "Nobody should try to make us believe that these are the acts of ill-at-ease delinquents, because these are the acts of terrorists." Alain Jacubowicz, a leader of the Jewish community in Lyon, described the ramming and arson attack at the Duchere synagogue as "an act of war." Kamel Kabtane, imam of the mosque in Lyon, told a Jewish audience: "The Muslim community and all the people who came with me today want to express solidarity with you, and it denounces with you and as loudly as you do these terrorist acts that attack freedom of religion." Prime Minister Lionel Jospin described the attack as "organized and premeditated"; he described himself as "revolted" by it and called for "respect of religions."Attacks Heighten Security in France http://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Attacks-Heighten-Security-in-France-7091390.php 8 August 2016 Midland Daily News 30 March 2002 President Jacques Chirac called the attack "unspeakable" and "inadmissible." Michel Miraillet, Charge d'Affaires at the Embassy of France to Israel, said stringent measures were being taken by the authorities to ensure the security of French Jews.Sheleg Yair Arrested in France https://www.haaretz.com/100-arrested-in-france-for-anti-semitic-actions-1.45922 https://web.archive.org/web/20160820054840/http://www.haaretz.com/100-arrested-in-france-for-anti-semitic-actions-1.45922 dead August 20, 2016 8 August 2016 7 May 2002 See also List of attacks on Jewish institutions References Law France 45.7882 4.7914 region:FR-ARA_type:event title Lyon synagogue attack Category:Attacks on synagogues in the 2000s Synagogue attack Category:Antisemitism in France Category:Building and structure arson attacks in France Lyon synagogue attack, 2002 Lyon synagogue attack Category:Attacks on religious buildings and structures in France Synagogue attack Lyon synagogue attack Lyon synagogue attack Lyon synagogue attack Category:Terrorist incidents involving vehicular attacks in Europe Category:Vehicle-ramming attacks in France Category:2000s vehicle-ramming attacks Category:2002 fires in Europe Category:Antisemitic attacks and incidents in Europe Category:2002 road incidents Category:2000s road incidents in France Category:2002 in Judaism