Shliach in France Brutally Attacked in Front of His Son; Suspect Arrested
Rabbi Aryeh Engelberg, The Rebbe’s Shliach and Chief Rabbi of Orléans, France, was brutally attacked on Shabbos by an antisemitic assailant—all in front of his nine-year-old son • Full Story
The attack occurred as the rabbi and his son were returning home from Shacharis at the synagogue. The assailant approached them violently, striking Rabbi Engelberg with punches and kicks before biting his shoulder while shouting slurs and antisemitic curses. The attack only ceased when bystanders intervened.
Following the incident, Rabbi Engelberg filed a police report, leading to the arrest of the suspect—a 16-year-old male with no prior criminal record. The suspect remains in custody pending further investigation.
The local prosecutor’s office confirmed that a formal investigation has been opened, charging the suspect with “intentional violence due to the victim’s religious affiliation.”
The mayor of Orléans, strongly condemned the attack, stating: “This is a grave assault on the values of our Republic.” He further warned: “France cannot become a battleground for foreign tensions that fuel violence and antisemitism, threatening our citizens.”
The Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France also responded, expressing solidarity with Rabbi Engelberg and denouncing the attack as a “cowardly and violent antisemitic assault.” Their statement emphasized: “No, antisemitism is not ‘incidental.’ Those who downplay or justify Jew-hatred by citing a conflict 4,000 km away bear immense responsibility.”
The attack has sparked renewed concerns over the rise of antisemitism in France, highlighting the urgent need for stronger measures to protect Jewish communities.
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