By Hafsa Alami
PARIS (AA) – Security was reinforced on Saturday around places of worship, Jewish schools, and monuments in several cities in France, especially in Paris and its suburbs, following the intense clashes between the Palestinian Hamas resistance group and Israeli forces.
In Paris, Marseille, Strasbourg, and Lyon, the security of Jewish temples has already been reinforced due to the holidays celebrated since mid-September and the start of the Jewish new year.
Security has been increased in the last two days, according to directives issued by Interior Minister Gerarld Darmanin via a message on Telegram to all prefects.
“As terrorist attacks carried out from Gaza strike Israel, I ask you to immediately strengthen vigilance, security, and protection of the sites of the Jewish community in France,” the minister wrote in the message.
Paris police chief Laurent Nunez went to the Great Synagogue in the French capital to testify and ensure that law enforcement was present there.
Darmanin also called for a "visible and static presence," as well as "the mobilization of municipal police services" and "the commitment of the soldiers of operation Sentinelle," referring to a French military operation with 10,000 soldiers and 4,700 police and gendarmes deployed since the aftermath of the Jan. 2015 attacks, with the goal of protecting the territory's deemed sensitive "points" from terrorism.
At the request of President Emmanuel Macron, “we have already given orders to the prefects to protect community places,” explained the minister during a trip to Toulouse, adding that there is “no threat” until now.
He also planned to chair “a security meeting to analyze the difficulties we could have on national soil” this afternoon in Paris.