(European Conservative) There was another snapshot moment over the weekend of the persecution of Jews in Europe when a French rabbi was attacked in broad daylight while returning home from synagogue with his nine-year-old son.
Orléans rabbi Arié Engelberg was allegedly hit on the head, bitten and verbally insulted — including in Arabic — in the city centre on Saturday. A 16-year-old suspect has been arrested, and is understood to be known under at least three identities — one Moroccan and two Palestinian.
According to Engelberg’s account, the attacker asked if he was Jewish before launching his attack. People nearby stepped in when the altercation — which the suspect was keen to have on film — became physical.
