PARIS: Ever since a jihadist attack on a kosher store left four people dead a year ago, France’s Jews have grown used to soldiers patrolling their neighbourhoods and schools.
While a comfort to some, the fact that the large Jewish community is forced to live under armed guard only heightens the sense of being a target.
“I don’t feel safe here anymore. As Jews we are a preferred target, in a country which itself is a target” of jihadists, said Noemie, 27, who escaped the bloody hostage drama.
Paris was shaken and on edge two days after 12 people were gunned down at the Charlie Hebdo satirical weekly when Noemie went to the Hyper Cacher supermarket on January 9 to buy some groceries for her grandmother.
It was a day of high drama..
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came under fire for urging French Jews to move to the Jewish state after the Hyper Cacher attack.
“To all the Jews of France, all the Jews of Europe, I would like to say that… the state of Israel is your home,” he said at the time.
“All Jews who want to immigrate to Israel will be welcomed here warmly and with open arms.
While personal religious reasons also push Jews to make the move to Israel, government has sought to reassure its Jewish community and urge them to stay.
“France, without its Jews, is not France,” said Prime Minister Manuel Valls.
To reassure the community, 700 soldiers have been deployed to patrol outside synagogues, schools and community centres.
At the Hyper Cacher, a year on from the attack, some regulars say they just want to “get on with their lives.”
“We think before coming, but when we see the security we feel more or less protected,” said Deborah, 29. – AFP
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