Thousands mourn deadly attack in Jewish community
- 12 years ago
Thousands staged a silent march in Paris, in memory of the victims of a deadly attack in Toulouse.
A gunman on motorbike shot dead three children and a teacher at a Jewish school.
Rabbi Jonathan Sandler, his two children aged three and six, and the 8-year-old daughter of the school's principal were killed.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) JEWISH WOMAN SAYING:
"We are here because it must have touched the whole of France, not only the Jewish community, as was evident in the several demonstrations that took place today. I am here not only because I am Jewish but because I'm moved by what happened."
Mourners lay flowers and soft toys in front of the school gate, where bullet holes are still visible.
Coffins containing the bodies of the victims arrived for an overnight vigil.
Sobbing parents, relatives and friends attended.
Earlier, special services were held in synagogues and churches in Paris and Toulouse.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) JEAN-PHILLIPE NAVEZ SAYING:
"This is quite ridiculous. People are killing because they're not in agreement, they do wrong to each other. We just can't go on like this any more. Innocent children are taken. Whatever their religion, their culture, their country of origin, one can't kill people in support of one's demands. It's really crazy."
Some 120 investigators are involved in the manhunt for the killer and authorities have identified the licence plate of the motor bike.
It was the worst anti-Semitic incident in France since August 1982, when six people were killed in a grenade attack.
France's 600,000-strong Jewish community is the largest in Europe.
Sophia Soo, Reuters.
A gunman on motorbike shot dead three children and a teacher at a Jewish school.
Rabbi Jonathan Sandler, his two children aged three and six, and the 8-year-old daughter of the school's principal were killed.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) JEWISH WOMAN SAYING:
"We are here because it must have touched the whole of France, not only the Jewish community, as was evident in the several demonstrations that took place today. I am here not only because I am Jewish but because I'm moved by what happened."
Mourners lay flowers and soft toys in front of the school gate, where bullet holes are still visible.
Coffins containing the bodies of the victims arrived for an overnight vigil.
Sobbing parents, relatives and friends attended.
Earlier, special services were held in synagogues and churches in Paris and Toulouse.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) JEAN-PHILLIPE NAVEZ SAYING:
"This is quite ridiculous. People are killing because they're not in agreement, they do wrong to each other. We just can't go on like this any more. Innocent children are taken. Whatever their religion, their culture, their country of origin, one can't kill people in support of one's demands. It's really crazy."
Some 120 investigators are involved in the manhunt for the killer and authorities have identified the licence plate of the motor bike.
It was the worst anti-Semitic incident in France since August 1982, when six people were killed in a grenade attack.
France's 600,000-strong Jewish community is the largest in Europe.
Sophia Soo, Reuters.