A Jewish man was assaulted by a machete-wielding teenager in Marseille on Monday, in what authorities are calling an anti-Semitic attack.
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“He claimed to have acted in the name of Allah and the Islamic State, repeating several times to have done on behalf of Daes”, he told journalists.
Benjamin Amsellem, right, a Jewish teacher stabbed the day before by a 15-year-old with a machete, leaves the main police headquarters in Marseille, southeastern France, on January 12, 2016.
The incidents point to heightened religious tensions in France less than two months after attacks by Islamic extremists in Paris left 130 people dead and hundreds injured.
The attack took place in broad daylight, with the 35-year-old teacher receiving injuries to his shoulder and hand, Robin said at a press conference. The teen, who will turn 16 next week, confessed to investigators that he meant to kill police officers as soon as he was released.
The prosecutor said the attacker was a “good student” whose family had been unaware of his radicalisation. The prosecution believes it was a premeditated attack with an intent to murder, based on the teacher’s religion.
The man was followed for around 50 metres by a boy in his mid teens, according to reports.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls described the attack as “repulsive” and urged the country to “stand up to those who go after our republican unity”.
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In November, three people shouted their support for Daesh while stabbing a Jewish teacher in the arms, legs and stomach.
