France Beefs Up Security at Religious Sites After Anti-Jewish Attacks

Posted October 7th, 2012 at 5:25 pm (UTC-5)
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French police carried out another raid Sunday in Cannes as part of a nationwide terrorist crackdown after attacks on a Jewish grocery store and a synagogue.

So far, police have arrested 11 suspects in Cannes, Paris and Strasbourg, where a suspect was killed during a gunfight with police.

French President Francois Hollande says he is increasing security at religious sites and will introduce stronger anti-terrorism laws in parliament.

Mr. Hollande met with Jewish leaders in Paris Sunday, saying the state is fully mobilized to fight what he calls the scourge. He blames the attacks on a cell of recently converted Islamic extremists.

The suspects are accused of throwing a grenade at a Jewish-owned grocery store in Paris last month, wounding one person. Police also are investigating gunfire outside a synagogue near Paris Saturday. No one was hurt, but evening services were canceled.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius tells French media there is only one possible approach in dealing with terrorists — absolute ruthlessness.