A 13-year-old Jewish boy was attacked in Paris while walking to the synagogue, according to the prosecutor’s office. The assault, which involved antismitic remarks, led to the arrest of an 18-year-old man.
The incident occurred at 7:20 p.m. on Avenue de la Porte de la Chapelle in the 18th arrondissement.
The victim told authorities that he was carrying his kippah when five individuals attacked him, attempting to steal his jacket and forcing him to empty his pockets. He reported being tripped, punched in the face, and threatened with a knife, while his AirPods were also taken.
During the attack, the boy was video chatting with someone who was able to identify one of the assailants. The suspect, born in June 2007, was quickly apprehended and taken into custody.
The prosecutor’s office confirmed that an investigation has been opened for armed robbery and armed violence committed in a group, aggravated by discrimination, and that efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest the other perpetrators.
Yonathan Arfi, president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF), condemned the attack on social media, stating: “How can we find the words to explain to a 13-year-old child that he is being attacked because he is Jewish? Who will be able to restore his confidence in the future tomorrow? Hatred of Jews is never acceptable, but it is even less so when it targets children.”
The case highlights ongoing concerns about antisemitic violence in France and the vulnerability of Jewish communities, particularly minors.
