Jerusalem (AsiaNews / Agencies) - "A horrible
and ignominious act" is how the director of the Vatican Press, Fr. Federico
Lombardi, described the massacre of the Jewish school of Toulouse yesterday at
8 am, that cost the lives of a rabbi, his two sons and the daughter of the
headmaster of the school.
In his message of condolence, Fr. Lombardi said that the gesture arouses 2deep
indignation and dismay'' and the most resolute condemnation, particularly given
the age and the innocence of the young victims and because it targeted "a
peaceful Jewish educational institute''. United with the solidarity expressed
by the archbishop of Toulouse
to the families of victims and Jewish communities, the director of the Vatican
Press Office'' expressed our deep involvement, our concern for this horrible
deed, and our spiritual solidarity''.
The massacre took place in the schoolyard of Ozar Hatorah, southwest of Toulouse. The killer, who
arrived on a Yamaha motorbike, entered the yard and started shooting. The
victims are a school teacher, Rabbi Jonathan Sandler, 30, a native of Jerusalem, and his two
sons aged three and six. The fourth person killed was a child of seven years,
Myriam Monsonego, daughter of the headmaster, who died in the arms of her
father. A security camera shows that the murderer grabbed the small child by the
hair before shooting her. A 17 year old boy was injured and his condition is serious.
The school, situated in a very quiet neighborhood, has 200 pupils between 11
and 18, in
middle and upper middle classes.
President Nicolas Sarkozy, who immediately travelled on site, called the
massacre "a national tragedy."
Meanwhile, the French police have verified that the same weapon and same
motorbike was used in two other attacks against French soldiers of North
African and Caribbean origin. Four days ago,
two soldiers were killed near Montauban, another eight days ago in Toulouse.
The police have launched a nationwide manhunt to suspects the involvement of former
neo-Nazi soldiers. The Israeli Foreign Ministry has offered transportation of
remains for burial in Israel.
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said the attack was a "vile
murder" and said he was certain that President Sarkozy and his government
"will do everything in their power to find the killer." Netanyahu
added that "Israel will
help France
for this purpose." Meanwhile, worldwide all Jewish institutions have increased
security.