France launches massive manhunt for Jewish school killer

Why would Hezbollah want to target random civilians in Foreign countries? How would that further their goals?

This seems like the work of a madman. No different than what happened recently in Afghanistan where 16 woman and children were slaughtered.

Violence is so bad! I hope they find the evil criminals and give them the DEATH PENALTY ASAP! RIP poor French Jews

RIP to the poor victims but am hoping this doesn't turn into something more.

This has gotten more attention because of the fact that 3 CHILDREN were killed. Not saying their lives were worth more than the soldiers, just that it's obvious why the media would pay more attention in this particular case, because children being killed generally generates more anger amongst the public and the media will exploit this.

The murderer specifically attacked a Jewish school, yes it was an act of anti-Semitism. The feelings I've had over the past couple of years are proving to be true... anti-Semitism has creeped back into the mainstream, even amongst people those who rail against the Islamophobes... seems like the right and left are united again on this old issue.

Given the range of victims, I'd speculate that the shooter would be a neo-Nazi of some type, perhaps an ex-serviceman. Time will tell.

This has gotten more attention because of the fact that 3 CHILDREN were killed.

That is part of it, but it would seem to be the lesser part, as evidenced by the headline and the majority of details in the article.

The feelings I've had over the past couple of years are proving to be true... anti-Semitism has creeped back into the mainstream,

Favoritism will do that. The pendulum just went from one extreme to the other and now its going back. I don't have a problem with the Jewish faith per se. But the favortism and special treatment does rankle nontheless. People act like these poor victims had some relation to the Holocaust. Well, they didn't. They were just ordinary people like you and me who happened to be Jewish. So much ado about them going to be buried in Israel annoys me when I know so little about the paratroopers.

That is part of it, but it would seem to be the lesser part, as evidenced by the headline and the majority of details in the article.

No, it really is because 3 of the victims were were children. The article was about the bodies of these Jews being buried In Israel, nothing to do wih any agenda. If 3 children of any race or religion were murdered and then we discovered their bodies were to be buried in another country, then that would also be turned into a news story.

Favoritism will do that. The pendulum just went from one extreme to the other and now its going back. I don't have a problem with the Jewish faith per se. But the favortism and special treatment does rankle nontheless. People act like these poor victims had some relation to the Holocaust. Well, they didn't. They were just ordinary people like you and me who happened to be Jewish. So much ado about them going to be buried in Israel annoys me when I know so little about the paratroopers.

No, favouritism will NOT to that. Anti-Semitism can't be justified or rationalised on any grounds, just like all other forms of racism, homophobia and other bigotry can't be either. The anti-Semites, who have been there all along, love Israel, because they can use Israel's actions to vent their bigotry and spread their hatred. Bear in mind that not all Jews are Zionists or live in Israel, and even many Israeli Jews are opposed to the actions their country takes. And I think these poor victims did have a relation to the Holocaust. The Jews murdered in the Holocaust and the Jews killed yesterday were all killed because they were JEWS - same reasoning, same evidence that anti-Semitism is alive and well.

This is going to get worse as the years go on and the Holocaust fades from living memory. Again, both sides, right and left, divided on nearly everything else, are united on this issue. Jew bashing is becoming more and more common.

My condolences to the family of the killed. May GOD be with the innocents who were killed!

anti-Semitism has creeped back into the mainstream,

You are anti-French. (Joke) I don't see what make you seem this killer is "mainstream" . You know him ?

. If 3 children of any race or religion were murdered and then we discovered their bodies were to be buried in another country, then that would also be turned into a news story.

False. That happened (too) many times and that didn't make international news. But it's because the victims were foreigners. 4 Israeli nationals. That's as if 4 Japanese expats were killed in a Japanese school in whatever-land. Japan Prime Minister would react, they'd be buried in Japan. People in Tokyo would say : “This is hatred of Nihonjins. Why else would anyone shoot at a Japanese school,”. But I don't know if over the world so many would blah blah about the return of anti-Japanese hatred, or whatever... Oh surely on this board.

That is part of it, but it would seem to be the lesser part, as evidenced by the headline and the majority of details in the article.

I agree.

Vast right wing conspirator:

" Given the range of victims, I'd speculate that the shooter would be a neo-Nazi of some type, "

The targets were French military personnel and Jews. The Jews would fit the profile of a neo nazi, the military personnel does not. No, this was clearly an islamic jihadist attack. No doubt about it.

NeverSubmit:

" Why would Hezbollah want to target random civilians in Foreign countries? "

Is that a rethorical question? Of course Jews are the prime targets for jihadist terrorists everywhere in the world. In the recent Mumbai attacks, the jihadis went out of their way to locate the tiny Jewish culture center in Mumbai first and kill everybody there-. Ditto in Buenos Aires. Hezb-allah is not different from any other jihadist group in that respect.

WilliB: "No, this was clearly an islamic jihadist attack. No doubt about it."

And there's WilliB again, bringing in personal politics and hatred to try and justify the unjustifiable.

"Of course Jews are the prime targets for jihadist terrorists everywhere in the world. In the recent Mumbai attacks, the jihadis went out of their way to locate the tiny Jewish culture center in Mumbai first and kill everybody there-"

Hope they find this guy soon, and regardless of nationality and/or religious beliefs put him to proper justice.

You are anti-French. (Joke) I don't see what make you seem this killer is "mainstream" . You know him ?

I never said all French people were anti-Semites or that this killer was 'mainstream'(?), just that anti-Semitism itself is becoming ever more acceptable. Not all anti-Semites grab a gun and murder children. But these anti-Semites who don't will then brazenly accuse Jews of 'playing the victim' when three children are murdered in an anti-Semitic attack.

False. That happened (too) many times and that didn't make international news. But it's because the victims were foreigners. 4 Israeli nationals. That's as if 4 Japanese expats were killed in a Japanese school in whatever-land. Japan Prime Minister would react, they'd be buried in Japan. People in Tokyo would say : “This is hatred of Nihonjins. Why else would anyone shoot at a Japanese school,”. But I don't know if over the world so many would blah blah about the return of anti-Japanese hatred, or whatever... Oh surely on this board.

Actually, it would most certainly make news all over the world if Japanese children were murdered at some Japanese school in 'whatever-land' for being Japanese and if bodies subsequently flown back to Japan for burial. It would definitely be a 'hatred of Japan' act. Anyway, getting away from analogy land and back to real life, these victims were not simply Israeli, but FRANCO-ISRAELI citizens, so yes, it is a news story if their bodies are taken to Israel.

I agree.

I don't agree. This story was simply providing us with more information following the brutal, insane act of murder which occured just yesterday. Telling readers that bodies are being flown back to Israel is not evidence of some Zionist control of the media.

Why no terror alert after paratroopers were gunned down in two separate incidents?

Is there no such thing as terror against those of North African decent?

There was no terror alert after the paratrooper because this was suspected a crime against military and not a racist crime.

Yes those are racism crimes. The jewish school attack just make no mistake of interpretation for us.

And yes, even if the jewish community is lesser than the muslim community, in the media, there are favored which tend agravate the others communities.

This is just RACISM against anyone who is not ''pure'' from an insane man.

As a french, who live there, a would like to remind people that my country is a tolerant one who accept every religion or not on his soil. There are sometime tensions but imigration is more important than in many other countries. This make integration more difficult, those population are generally poor, without education, without knowlegde of the country and shown as the source of many crime. But still those are not abandonned even the illegal one. You will find for them help, food, shelter, healtcare and school.

Why no terror alert after paratroopers were gunned down in two separate incidents?

Is there no such thing as terror against those of North African decent?

France not giving enough attention to the paratroopers doesn't mean that too much attention is being allocated to the Jewish murder victims.

The headline just keeps changing. Remember, its not the paratrooper killer. Its not the child killer. Its the Jewish school killer.

But it is the Jewish school killer, it wasn't just three children, but also a 30 year old.

just that anti-Semitism itself is becoming ever more acceptable. Links to prove that? If anything, the world is more outspoken about any -ism these days.

Links to prove that? If anything, the world is more outspoken about any -ism these days.

Here you go.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16708340

Last year the University of Bielefeld published the results of a survey across Europe which looked at attitudes not just towards Jews but Muslims and other victims of what it called "group-focused enmity".

It concluded: "Group-focused enmity is widespread in Europe. It is weakest in the Netherlands and strongest in Poland and Hungary."

On anti-Semitism, the researchers said it was strongest in Poland and Hungary. "In Portugal, followed closely by Germany, anti-Semitism is significantly more prominent than in the other western European countries.

"In Italy and France anti-Semitic attitudes as a whole are less widespread than the European average, while the extent of anti-Semitism is least in Great Britain and the Netherlands."

And prejudice seems to be getting worse.Sociologist Wilhelm Heitmeyer of the University of Bielefeld blames harder economic times.

And to narrow it down to one country,

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12350913

A Jewish charity which monitors acts of anti-Semitism in the UK says it recorded 639 incidents of violence, threats and abuse last year.

The figure, from the Community Security Trust, is the second highest since it began its work in 1984.

The peak of 926 incidents came in 2009, and was attributed to a backlash against Israel's invasion of Gaza.

Oh dear, and this just the UK, which is supposedly one of the LEAST anti-Semitic countries in Europe.

Anti-Semitism is growing and becoming more acceptable again, despite all the 'isms' we're outspoken about nowadays.

Why no terror alert after paratroopers were gunned down in two separate incidents?

There was a maximum alert for the military staff. The normal process when the armies are targeted. After the 2 first attacks, they could still suspect some personal matter and they kept investigating. They couldn't guess how dangerous was the guy.

Is there no such thing as terror against those of North African decent?

Why "against" ? You are paranoiac. The victims were of "North African" ethnicity (for what that means), but not the killer. We don't know for him. One thing that surprises me... maybe the French media have been asked to "delay" for the cause of investigation. A guy in scooter that shoots at Orthodox Jews, at paras, at "Arabs" that joined the French army... that's not a very original pattern in France. My parents told me of that type of violence in the 50's in my hometown. The reason... to make it short : the war in Algeria. There were at least "4 sides" in conflict there, and the 4 were relayed by groups of youth that easily turned into terrorists. That was decades before AlQaida, that was not connected with North European anti-semitism. The context has disappeared. 2 days ago was the 50's anniversary of France's retiring from that war. I think that's a huge coincidence that could at least be mentioned. Could that be an history buff turned crazy ?

it is a news story if their bodies are taken to Israel.

The bodies of the victims went back to the family's hometown, at their request. They were all from Israel, they lived there with big family and the Dad and 2 sons had stayed one year in Toulouse, the girl's family a few years only. They'd have done the funerals there, wherever they'd have dyed, for whatever reason.

I don't believe France has the death penalty any longer. Unless this criminal is killed during capture, he'll live out his life in prison.

The bodies of the victims went back to the family's hometown, at their request. They were all from Israel, they lived there with big family and the Dad and 2 sons had stayed one year in Toulouse, the girl's family a few years only. They'd have done the funerals there, wherever they'd have dyed, for whatever reason.

They were Franco Israelis. There is absolutely NOTHING sinister about the media reporting that they are to be buried in Israel.

Coming from a country that doesn't have this sort of religious violence, I am perplexed by this. What is the reason for so much antisemitism in Europe? How can it be stopped?

"seems to be" isn't "it is getting worse". You'll have to excuse me for thinking that nazi Germany had more of an issue with it than the world does today.

Why do we assume only one shooter? Two semi-automatic pistols. One tatto seen. One helmet, one bike, one leather suit, one camera, yes, but three ex-soldiers with one agenda being sought. Could they not be taking turns?

I hope the camera does not mean these loons are making a training DVD.

Anti-Semitism attacks are increasing, the facts back it up. Anti-Semitic opinions and speech is becoming more acceptable. And if you dismiss these people who commit anti-Jewish hate crimes as just 'a few loonies' who have little to no impact on the overall well-being of Jews as you're implying, make sure you apply the same standards to all those who commit hate crimes crimes against Muslims, gays, women, whatever. It's just a few loonies, remember? These groups shouldn't play the victim card.

The facts are that the gunman deliberately targeted a Jewish school, it was a planned, calculated act, these shooters don't just randomly pick the nearest school they see. If it was an act of psychosis and he just went crazy, then he wouldn't have had the mental capacity to calculate and execute his escape and go on the run and continue to evade the authorities. This gunman is targeting minority groups. These four were murdered because they were Jewish.

Anti-Semitism attacks are increasing, the facts back it up. Compared to when? I've already pointed out that there were many more attacks before and during WWII. Surely you can't disagree with that, though I think you might.

I am dismissing that these attacks are anti-Semitic because we don't know who did it and why. Others have been killed who are not Jewish. Not exactly hard to see why people are disagreeing with you on this, is it?

Indeed it IS a few loonies and I think that when anyone gets killed regardless of their race, gender, religion...

You are writing like you know who killed these people and why. Perhaps you should let the French police know?

With an attack every four days so far, and Friday being the Muslim day of prayer, the local French Muslim community is now bracing itself for a possible attack, according to the news.

There is absolutely NOTHING sinister about the media reporting that they are to be buried in Israel.

It is not just this one point. Its the mess of details and reactions about one incident at the expense of the other two.

Two shootings of North Africans. No -isms cited.

One shooting of Jews. -ism cited instantly.

Why is it so hard to believe the third incident might have been random? Favoritism.

Compared to when? I've already pointed out that there were many more attacks before and during WWII. Surely you can't disagree with that, though I think you might.

I don't think you understand. I never said anti-Semitism today is at the same level it was in the 1940s, I stated that it has been increasing in the last NUMBER OF YEARS, people have become complacent, and the old prejudices and hatreds are beginning to rise again. Looking at the UK alone, the Community Security Trust has been documenting anti-Semitic attacks since 1984. 2010's figure was the second highest figure to date. The Jews always make a convenient scapegoat during economic crises, it happened in the 1930s and it's happening again now.

I am dismissing that these attacks are anti-Semitic because we don't know who did it and why. Others have been killed who are not Jewish. Not exactly hard to see why people are disagreeing with you on this, is it?

Um, it's possible to be an Islamophobe and an anti-Semite. The murders he committed at the school are no less anti-Semitic, just because he also happened to murder French Arabs soldiers.

Indeed it IS a few loonies and I think that when anyone gets killed regardless of their race, gender, religion...

Yes, and 'a few loonies' were the cause of nearly 1000 anti-Semitic incidences in the UK in 2009, one of the 'least' anti-Semitic countries. It's these 'few loonies' who spread fear and cultivate paranoia and make people feel scared to leave their homes. Oh by the way, any racism you encounter from Japanese people is also down to 'a few loonies'. Remember to keep applying this standard.

You are writing like you know who killed these people and why. Perhaps you should let the French police know?

This gunman specifically targeted a JEWISH school, you're acting like he just opened fire on a shopping street, and some of the unfortunate victimes of his killing spree happened to be Jewish. This was a deliberate target.

It is not just this one point. Its the mess of details and reactions about one incident at the expense of the other two.

Two shootings of North Africans. No -isms cited.

One shooting of Jews. -ism cited instantly.

Why is it so hard to believe the third incident might have been random? Favoritism.

The North Africans who were killed were also soldiers, and until the gunman attacked the Jewish school, these soldier murders were initially put down to some internal rivalry or incident within the army, especially considering the bullets came from a fellow soldier's weapon. It's BECAUSE of the Jewish murders and the same gun being used for both that people finally woke up to the fact that the murdered soldiers were also victims of hate crimes. And no, the media rightfully pointing out that what happened in the school is anti-Semitism doesn't imply 'favouritism', Islamophobia being a problem in Europe and not being dealt with properly doesn't mean that it is suddenly wrong to keep talking about anti-Semitism. It's ridiculous to try and awaken people to the reality of Islamophobia by downplaying anti-Semitism, they are BOTH equally serious problems. Just because the media may focus on anti-Semitism more than Islamophobia does NOT justify more anti-Semitism.

NadègeMar. 20, 2012 - 05:50PM JST

As a french, who live there, a would like to remind people that my country is a tolerant one who accept every religion or not on his soil. There are sometime tensions but imigration is more important than in many other countries. This make integration more difficult, those population are generally poor, without education, without knowlegde of the country and shown as the source of many crime. But still those are not abandonned even the illegal one. You will find for them help, food, shelter, healtcare and school.

France has the most advanced social and health care system, the most repressive laws against intolerance (or what they judge to be intolerance) and the biggest arsenal for positive discrimination. Billions are spend on minorities and immigrants.

The unprecedented wave of violence we are witnessing in France, a country that very safe 20-30 years ago, is not due to social issues but comes from ethnic and religious grounds since the French were forced to accept immigration and multiculturalism that is leading the nation into hyperviolence and her destruction in different communities that hate each other (the sunnite against the chiite, the Muslims against the Jews, Christian churches and cimeteries desecration rising, charia law and halal meat imposed to the whole population, etc.).

For those who still think that the far right wing and the French nationalists are the threat, I would like to say that in 25 years, I haven't seen one single skin-head in France and that nationalist people like those from the Front National are closer to Israel that you might think, but still antisemitic and violence are rising. How do you explain that ?

By the way : 2 of the 3 soldiers that were attacked are Christians not Muslims but no one tell, not even Sarkozy. Why is that ?

nandakandamandaMar. 21, 2012 - 12:03AM JST

With an attack every four days so far, and Friday being the Muslim day of prayer, the local French Muslim community is now bracing itself for a possible attack, according to the news.

I don't know why the muslim community should worry about that killer. The Muslims are not his target. 2 of the soldiers were Christians and the two attacks on mosquees of last week were done by Muslims in a sunnite/chiite conflict.

It's BECAUSE of the Jewish murders and the same gun being used for both that people finally woke up to the fact that the murdered soldiers were also victims of hate crimes.

The press has not quite copped on then have they?

I still await anything near this kind of detail on the soldiers.

And no, the media rightfully pointing out that what happened in the school is anti-Semitism doesn't imply 'favouritism',

So if it turns out that the school shooting was random or just general hate of all minorities, are you going to apologize for insisting it just MUST have been anti-semitism?

It's ridiculous to try and awaken people to the reality of Islamophobia by downplaying anti-Semitism, they are BOTH equally serious problems.

Please come out of the rain and left field! I am not downplaying anti-semitism by refusing to jump to conclusions! Nor am I trying to awaken anyone to Islamophobia vis a vis not doing so!

Jumping to conclusions is evidence of favoritism, and IMHO its nearly as disgusting as anti-semitism!

And what have you given us? Two separate incidents of North Africans getting slaughtered, and everyone was hunky dory to just pass it off as personal grudges.

But Jews get gunned down and it MUST be anti-semitism, because you just can't have a personal grudge against certain Jews!

And it still does not explain why an anti-semitic individual would go after North African paratroopers...twice!

The Muslims are not his target.

Jumping to conclusions again.

2 of the soldiers were Christians

And the killer could tell by looking at them?

If I were a Muslim in France, I would completely disregard your 20/20 hindsight and jumping to conclusions.

The press has not quite copped on then have they?

I still await anything near this kind of detail on the soldiers.

I said 'people', not the press. I haven't denied Islamophobia or said the media don't shy away from it.

So if it turns out that the school shooting was random or just general hate of all minorities, are you going to apologize for insisting it just MUST have been anti-semitism?

He targeted a Jewish school, if it was a general hating of all minorities, than that would STILL be anti-Semitism in the case of he school killing as well as Islamophobia for the soldiers he killed.

Please come out of the rain and left field! I am not downplaying anti-semitism by refusing to jump to conclusions! Nor am I trying to awaken anyone to Islamophobia vis a vis not doing so!

No, you tried to justify anti-Semitism by saying that the media make everything about the Jews and ignored the Arab killings. Even if this is the case, it still doesn't justify anti-Semitism.

Jumping to conclusions is evidence of favoritism, and IMHO its nearly as disgusting as anti-semitism!

The only one jumping to conclusions was yourself by rationalising anti-Semitism by pointing out that the media have paid more attention to the school killings than to the soldier murders and talking about how the 'pendulum now swings the other way'.

And what have you given us? Two separate incidents of North Africans getting slaughtered, and everyone was hunky dory to just pass it off as personal grudges.

But Jews get gunned down and it MUST be anti-semitism, because you just can't have a personal grudge against certain Jews!

Once again, you don't get it. I never said that the soldier killings were not examples of Islamophobia, just pointing out what people originally thought. And it's easier to see why they would have assumed that, nothing to do with race, the soldiers were killed by a fellow soldier, so it would take longer to ascertain why unlike someone going into a Jewish school and murdering JEWISH CHILDEN where it was obvious right from the outset wha was going on.

And it still does not explain why an anti-semitic individual would go after North African paratroopers...twice!

Once again, you can be anti-Semitic and Islamophobic, they are not mutually exclusive. I never denied the media was inclined to downplay and negate Islamophobia, just that the media's greater focusing on anti-Semitism shouldn't have to be compromised for greater acknowledgment and recognition of Islamophobia.

This is why you should buy the highest resolution CCTV cameras you can get.

The three Neo-Nazi ex-soldiers have apparently now been cleared.

Ogi, perhaps you should read/watch the news. The country is worried that this crazy person will target Muslims next. Yes, you can hate Jewish people and Muslims at the same time but you don't see the Muslims going crazy about it now, do you? The person behind this is mad. End of story. I don't think there is anything "ism" about this so perhaps you could stop looking for isms where there is none?

Actually tmarie, perhaps you should. Muslims are going 'crazy' about it, its just that as Seavey rightly pointed out, the media are ignoring Islamophobia again. My reponse was that people's vigilance about anti-Semitism should not be compromised for greater levels of understanding about Islamophobia. Of course there is an 'ism' here, this gunman went into a Jewish school and targeted and murdered four Jewish people including 3 children. The person behind this may be 'mad', but that doesn't mean his actions weren't anti-Semitic. As I said, not every anti-Semite is going to take out a gun and murder people. I already pointed out that anti-Semitism is once again increasing. And once again, people are accusing Jews of playing the 'victim card'. People are becoming complacent again. You do know that in the 1920s most Jews in Western Europe were perceived to have 'integrated' into France/Germany/Netherlands, whatever, to nearly the same level that they have today. If you had told most of these people what was going to happen to them in the 1940s they would have looked at you as though you were mad. It's important to remain viligant, because once that viligance disappears, it becomes much easier to pass laws which incrementally take away rights here and there, since no one cares anymore. There was certainly an 'ism' here tmarie.