The representative organization of Jews in France, CRIF, has condemned an attack against two young boys wearing a kippah on Wednesday night in a Paris suburb. Police detained five youths aged between 16 and 21 after the incident, which took place in Vitry-sur-Seine, southeast of Paris. After they came in defense of their two nephews who were being chased by a band of ten youths, a 40-year-old man and his 18-year-old son were severely beaten. According to CRIF, the aggressors shouted anti-Semitic insults.
"When police arrived on the spot, the aggressors threatened the two teenagers and shouted anti-Semitic slogans," the organization said in a statement, adding that it was clear that the incident "had nothing to do with conflict between rival bands." The two wounded persons, who suffered severe bruises and an eye injury, were brought to hospital but were allowed to return home the same night. According to a police official, there is a "strong suspicion" that the attack was anti-Semitic.
