Fire in front of the synagogue in La Grande-Motte: “There was an intention to kill”, complains Perla Danan, president of the CRIF region

Perla Danan, president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France for Languedoc-Roussillon, is filled with anger and fear. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

Perla Danan, president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France for Languedoc-Roussillon, reacts to the events that occurred in La Grande-Motte on August 24, 2024.

“There was a real desire to kill”.

On this Saturday, August 24, 2024, two hours after the events that occurred that very morning in La Grande-Motte, the voice of Montpellier resident Perla Danan, the president for Languedoc-Roussillon of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France, vibrates with anger and fear.

“Saturday morning is Shabbat service, it is very busy, in La Grande-Motte at this time, there are a lot of people. So it was targeted, it was calculated to kill. Fortunately, this police officer is safe and sound. But I am very, very angry” she confided to us.

All sensitive sites secured

And this after having spoken with the prefect of Hérault, with the mayors of La Grande-Motte, and Montpellier, first to take all necessary measures: “All the places, all the synagogues were immediately secured. I also know that everything is being done to quickly apprehend the culprits,” she appreciated. “Everyone is calling me, lots of other mayors too, who are showing me their support, their friendship. Everyone is going to come. Darmanin, Attal, the national president of the Crif…"

"Calls for hatred, in the street…"

A little comfort, on a lot of worry, irritation, anguish, feeling fed up. Perla Danan is indignant:“For months, I have been warning that the calls for hatred that we hear in the street, every Saturday on the Place de la Comédie in Montpellier, or from pseudo-politicians, lead to this. At worst. We excite people, the youngest, it is irresponsible. We cannot, we must not import the conflicts of the Middle East into France."

"All Jews are targeted"

And to hope that this will be "an electroshock, an alarm signal. Everyone must react, because, here, we are revolted. There is an urgent need to act, at the police, judicial, but also educational level. Teachers should no longer be afraid to do so, to address certain subjects in class, such as the Holocaust. Education, yes, has a preventive and social cohesion role to play".

Finally, Perla Danan hopes that "justice will be done, quickly and harshly. Because here, we are in a situation where many Jews in France are wondering if their children will be able to live peacefully in this country. Because all Jews are targeted, whether they are religious or not. This is extremely serious."

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