Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin recently told a press conference that France was facing an “obvious atmosphere of jihadism.” This statement follows recent Hamas attacks in Israel and the murder of a teacher at a high school in Arras.
According to the minister, since the attack on Israel by Hamas, a wave of jihadism seems to be spreading in France. Since then, 189 anti-Semitic acts have been recorded in the territory, some of which led to arrests. Gérald Darmanin insisted on the need to systematically expel any foreigner considered dangerous by the intelligence services, affirming his firmness in the face of radicalized foreigners.
This situation has led France to place itself on “emergency attack” alert, the highest level of the Vigipirate system. Reinforced security measures are being put in place, with the intervention of 7,000 soldiers in the territory by Monday. It also led to the evacuation of iconic locations such as the Louvre Museum and the Palace of Versailles, although there was ultimately no real threat.
The Arras attack, which cost the life of a French teacher and injured three, aroused great emotion, particularly in the teaching world. The attacker, a young man on the S file of Russian origin, had been followed by the intelligence services because of his links with members of his family also on the S file. However, no explanation was given by the attacker for his action.
This drama once again raises the question of radicalization and the link between events in the Middle East and terrorist acts committed in France. It is undeniable that the international context can influence certain people, but the complexity of motivations remains a challenge for security services.
Faced with this situation, the French government intends to strengthen prevention and security measures. A minute of silence will be observed in all schools in tribute to the victims of attacks against the school. In addition, discussions are underway to strengthen surveillance and control systems for potentially dangerous individuals.
It is undeniable that the threat of jihadism is real in France and requires a firm response from the authorities. The security and protection of citizens must remain a top priority. However, it is also important to ensure a fair assessment of risks and avoid overgeneralizations that could stigmatize a specific community.
The fight against jihadism is a major challenge and requires a global approach, combining prevention, intelligence, international cooperation and respect for fundamental rights.. Striking a balance between protecting national security and respecting individual freedoms is essential to ensure a secure and democratic society.