Two adolescent boys in a Paris suburb have been charged with raping a 12-year-old girl in what appears to be a religion-motivated attack. The attack has elicited shock and concern, especially in light of a recent increase in antisemitic acts in France since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. The girl reported the rape in the town of Courbevoie, and three boys, aged 12 and 13, were detained. Two of the boys have been given preliminary charges, including aggravated gang rape, violence, and public insult motivated by religion.
The prosecutor’s office did not release the girl’s identity or specify her religion, following standard victim protection policies for hate crimes in France. However, a Jewish leader later confirmed that the girl is Jewish and that Palestine was mentioned during the attack. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal identified the attack as antisemitic, stating that the girl was “raped because she’s Jewish.” The two boys charged are being held in custody pending further investigation, while the third boy was named as an assisted witness to the alleged rape, and placed in a special education program.
Political leaders from across the spectrum have denounced the attack, with Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin describing it as “awful.” He noted that police are limited in their ability to prevent such violence, attributing the issue to problems with parents, authority, and society as a whole. The attack comes at a time when France is preparing for snap parliamentary elections, with the far-right National Rally party making security and immigration key campaign issues. The incident has raised concerns about the rise of antisemitism and hate crimes in the country.
On Wednesday evening, hundreds of people gathered in front of Paris City Hall to protest against antisemitism, many holding placards with slogans such as “raped because she’s Jewish.” The incident has sparked a broader discussion about the prevalence of hate crimes and the need for increased awareness and action to address such issues. The attack serves as a reminder of the importance of standing against antisemitism and other forms of discrimination, and highlights the need for continued efforts to promote tolerance and understanding in society.
