Paris streets named after Jewish children killed in 2012 terror attack

“Today we were supposed to celebrate the bar mitzvah of Arie. Instead, we are here to inaugurate a street in his memory.”

MAY 22, 2019 02:43

Street sign in Paris honoring brothers Arye and Gabriel Sandler (photo credit: Courtesy) — Street sign in Paris honoring brothers Arye and Gabriel Sandler

(photo credit: Courtesy)

On March 19, 2012, an Islamic terrorist targeted a Jewish school in the French city of Toulouse. Four people were killed, three of them children. Now, seven years later, two alleys in a square in the center of Paris were named after the three children.

The children killed were 8-year-old Myriam Monsonego, and brothers Arié and Gabriel Sandler, 6 and 3. The fourth victim was their father, a teacher at the school, Rabbi Jonathan Sandler.

The street-naming ceremony took place on Sunday and was attended by the mayor of the city Anne Hidalgo, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and French Member of Parliament Meyer Habib.

Ils avaient 8, 6 et 3 ans. Myriam Monsonégo, Arié et Gabriel Sandler ont été assassinés le 19 mars 2012 à #Toulouse, victimes du terrorisme et de la haine antisémite. Deux allées du square Sainte-Odile portent désormais leurs noms, dans le 17e arrondissement. N’oublions jamais. pic.twitter.com/ieMp9PI0kn
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) May 19, 2019

“Today we were supposed to celebrate the bar mitzvah of Arie, of blessed memory,” said Habib. “Instead, we are here to inaugurate a street in his memory.

“The life of Jews in France has changed since the attack in Toulouse,” he continued. “Back then, we were about to experience the worst wave of terror attacks ever known to France – and Jews, as in many cases throughout history, have always been on the front line. At that time, I warned that I was afraid that what happened was only the beginning of a long series of events. Unfortunately, history proved me right.”

The street signs, one for Miriam and one for the siblings, display their names, ages and the circumstances of their death, calling them “victims of antisemitic terrorism and hatred.”

According to the French edition of the Huffington Post, the city of Toulouse is also considering undertaking a similar initiative; the municipal council will deliberate it on June 14.

Ne jamais oublier. Je représentais ce matin @jlmoudenc à l’inauguration des allées Myriam Monsonego et Arié et Gabriel Sandler victimes de la barbarie et du terrorisme. Merci @Anne_Hidalgo pour cette belle initiative qui honore notre devoir de mémoire. pic.twitter.com/CmdG2QYPgW
— Laurence Arribagé (@LArribage) May 19, 2019