2002 Lyon synagogue attack

{{short description|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 {{ill|La Duchere|fr|v=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 01:00 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.{{cite news|title=Vandals crash cars through French synagogue|url=http://azdailysun.com/vandals-crash-cars-through-french-synagogue/article_a3a07e4c-8d84-55f4-9b2b-5b6bccaee9bb.html|accessdate=8 August 2016|agency=AP|publisher=Arizona Daily Sun|date=30 March 2002}}{{cite news|title=Shooting in France in Wave of Anti-Jewish Attacks|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/01/international/europe/01FRAN.html|accessdate=8 August 2016|work=New York Times|date=1 April 2002}}{{cite news|last1=Horn|first1=Heather|title=The Jewish School Shooting and Patterns of Violence|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/03/the-jewish-school-shooting-and-patterns-of-violence/254707/|accessdate=8 August 2016|publisher=The Atlantic|date=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.{{cite news|last1=Diamond|first1=Andrew|title=Weekend of anti-Semitism in France|url=http://www.jta.org/2002/04/01/life-religion/features/weekend-of-anti-semitism-in-france|accessdate=8 August 2016|publisher=JTA|date=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;{{cite news|last1=McNeil|first1=Donald|title=France Vows Harsh Action After More Synagogues Burn|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/02/international/europe/02FRAN.html|accessdate=8 August 2016|work=New York Times|date=2 April 2002}} and the firebombing of a synagogue in the Paris suburb of Le Kremlin-Bicêtre.{{cite news|last1=Tagliabue|first1=John|title=Synagogue In Paris Firebombed; Raids Go On|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/05/world/synagogue-in-paris-firebombed-raids-go-on.html|accessdate=8 August 2016|work=New York Times|date=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."{{cite news|title=Attacks Heighten Security in France|url=http://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Attacks-Heighten-Security-in-France-7091390.php|accessdate=8 August 2016|publisher=Midland Daily News|date=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.{{cite news|last1=Sheleg|first1=Yair|title=Arrested in France|url=http://www.haaretz.com/100-arrested-in-france-for-anti-semitic-actions-1.45922|accessdate=8 August 2016|date=7 May 2002}}