World Jewish Congress reaction to attack on Jewish school in Toulouse
Ronald S. Lauder condemns murder of Jewish children and teacher as “despicable terrorist attack” on the most vulnerable
BRUSSELS / NEW YORK – World Jewish Congress (WJC) President Ronald S. Lauder has reacted with horror and shock at today’s killing by a gunman of four people in a Jewish school in France. Four people, among them three children, died when a man opened fire on a group of students and teachers waiting at the drop-off point of Ozar Hatorah School in the southern French city of Toulouse. The victims were reportedly a 30-year-old school teacher, his six- and three-year-old sons, and a ten-year-old boy. Another boy was badly injured in the attack. The gunman escaped from the scene on a motorbike.
Ronald Lauder said: “Today, Jews everywhere in the world are weeping in sorrow and disgust in the face of this despicable terrorist attack. Targeting children is a particularly sick and vile act, and nothing can justify it. This attack is an attack on all of us.
“We have full confidence that the French authorities will do everything in their power to quickly hunt down the perpetrator of this horrible crime and bring him to justice. Jews in all countries stand shoulder to shoulder with French Jewry. We weep for the victims, and our hearts go out to their families,” Lauder added.
The WJC president praised the show of solidarity by senior French politicians in the wake of the attack on Monday. Both President Nicolas Sarkozy and his Socialist challenger François Hollande had immediately interrupted their election campaign and went to Toulouse to speak with the families of the bereaved.
About the World Jewish Congress
The World Jewish Congress (WJC) is the international organization representing Jewish communities in 100 countries to governments, parliaments and international organizations.
