In the hours after the brutal assault on a newspaper office in the center of France – one of the largest mass attacks on European soil since World War II – the world struggled to understand how such a barbarous assault could have taken place.
On the quiet afternoon of January 7, 2015 three heavily armed men – French police would later identify them as two brothers and a third man, all French nationals, who returned to France after fighting in Syria’s brutal civil war – approached the offices of the weekly satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, in central Paris. They shot the armed police officer standing guard outside, forced a terrified employee who had just returned from picking up her young child from daycare to enter the office’s entrance code, and unleashed a bloodbath, shooting employees with meticulous, military-style precision. By the time they escaped several minutes later – and after shooting a policeman who confronted them outside - 12 people lay dead and much of France was in shock.
“I don’t understand how people can attack a newspaper with heavy weapons,” said the dazed Editor-in-Chief Girard Biard, who was visiting London and so escaped the massacre. “We are shocked and surprised that something like this could happen in the center of Paris,” echoed Dalil Boubakeur, the rector of the Grand Mosque in Paris. As evening approached, crowds of astonished and grieving people formed spontaneous demonstrations, expressing solidarity with the murdered journalists, and seeking an outlet for their heartache and distress.
Charlie Hebdo would seem an unlikely symbol to unify so many people. The newspaper is aggressively offensive, mocking politicians, the establishment, celebrities and religion. One French friend of mine characterized it as “equal opportunity” offensive. Virtually every group has been the target of its nasty humor at some point, including Catholics, Jews, and Muslims. When the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published offensive pictures of the Prophet Mohammed in 2006, sparking protests and riots around the world, Chalie Hebdo reprinted the cartoons – and added some of its own, as well. A 2011 edition was supposedly guest-edited by Mohammed (complete with another offensive cartoon); the current issues’ cover story celebrates a new French novel that many have characterized as an anti-Muslim screed.
The sight of crowds of grieving people reminded me of a premise from a novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez: Chronicle of a Death Foretold. This book tells the story of two brothers who announce their intentions to murder another young man in their town. Even though they repeatedly state their intensions, few believe them. Local officials are convinced they are bluffing and ordinary citizens fail to take them seriously. By the time the violence takes place, the entire town is complicit.
As in this fictional tale, a long history of threats and violence – both against Charlie Hebdo and other targets – has too often been minimized and ignored.
Charlie Hebdo itself is no stranger to violence. On November 2, 2011, just after it announced its “Mohammed-edited” issue, its offices were firebombed. (The attack occurred in the early morning hours and resulted in no casualties.) In 2012, French officials begged the magazine not to publish more offensive Mohammed cartoons. When the magazine insisted on going ahead, France closed embassies, consulates, schools and cultural centers in over a dozen Muslim countries for fear of attack. “We want to laugh at the extremists,” a journalist said at the time, explaining his magazine’s indifference to potential reprisals over its offensive humor.
Editor Stephane Charbonnier, who’d received death threats for years – and was listed as a marked man by an al-Qaeda magazine in 2013 – was living under police protection at the time of his murder. The magazine retained an armed guard by its door and even joked about its status as a target for terror. (A cartoon in the current issue depicts a terrorist saying “Still no attacks in France – wait, we have until the end of January to present our New Year’s wishes.”)
The threats were no laughing matter. Like the brothers in Chronicle of a Death Foretold, they announced their intentions loud and clear – and repeatedly – for all to hear.
One came in September 2014, when an Isis tape advised sympathisers around the world: “If you are not able to find an IED or a bullet, then single out the disbelieving American, Frenchman or any of their allies. Smash his head with a rock or slaughter him with a knife or run him over with your car or throw him down from a high place or choke him or poison him.” On November 19, another Isis video, made in French this time, urged sympathisers to target the French: “Terrorize them and do not allow them to sleep due to fear and horror. There are weapons and cars available and targets ready to be hit... poison the water and food.... and run them over with your cars....”
In May 2014, four people were murdered in a Jewish museum in Brussels by a French national who had fought for Isis in Syria. On December 21, 2014, 11 people were injured when a man yelling jihadist slogans drove his car into a crowd of pedestrians in the French city of Dijon; two days later, a dozen were injured when another driver ploughed his car into French holiday shoppers in the French town of Nantes. These were not unforeseen events; these acts have been calmly planned, announced and too often, ignored.
Violence is rarely unforeseen. All too often it is not taken seriously enough by civilized people. It can seem bizarre and far-fetched to contemplate people willing to perpetrate horrific acts of violence; it’s much more comforting to tell ourselves that people can’t possibly mean it when they make these threats, that those promising to kill and maim must be exaggerating their evil intentions. As the attack in Paris shows, we ignore these warnings at our peril.
Iran has stated its intention to “wipe Israel off the map.” In January 2015, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh told a crowd of supporters of his plans to attack Israel: “We will develop our weapons so that our missiles will reach as far as possible and hit targets at sea, on land, and in the air.” In November 2014, the head of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, made his intentions clear: “Southern Lebanon is prepared to fight (Israel).... We are not afraid of war...we are a threat to Israel.” Even the supposedly moderate Palestinian Authority had its own message to Israel in July 2014, when it took possession of a new type of military equipment. Over images of a man holding a missile launcher, a video intones: “A message to the Israeli government and the Israeli people: Death will reach you from the south to the north.... The KN-103 rocket is on its way toward you.”
It’s tempting to dismiss these and other threats as empty hyperbole. The carnage in Paris unfortunately reminds us that when individuals announce their plans to kill and maim we must take their threats at face value.
(17) shilvib puri, June 19, 2016 6:28 PM
INDEED DEATH THREATS MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY
we are no hebdo.we received death threats when we tried to fight injustice. govt of India has taken threats to us seriously
(16) Two Olive Trees, January 20, 2015 11:40 AM
Its time to wake up!
Dearly Beloved Jews,
I am a Christian and I hope to answer some of the inadequate arguments raised on this website.Firstly, if anyone understands Islam, one would know that there is no such thing as a moderate Muslim. A Muslim might be moderate, but his religion is not. Secondly, we are told that these Muslim terrorists were grieved with French military foreign policy. So why did they target Jews then? Have you all forgotten that Islam exists to exterminate the Jews? Do you think that all the surrounding Muslim nations ideology who have vowed to obliterate Israel, only came from the 1967, 6 day war conflict?
Well, I am here to tell you no! Islam cannot peaceably co-exist with Jews or any religion. Have you all not noticed that it is not Jews who are threatening freedom of speech anywhere; who are committing acts of terrorism around the world; or who have instigated no-go areas in Christian countries. No. There is only one religion which cannot live peaceable alongside its neighbours.
Also, there is only one religion which justifies lying, murder, rape and terrorism all in the name of god, and it is not a loving, compassionate, merciful Judeo-Christian God which is known to practice such things.
Therefore, it was not such an outrageous hatred against French foreign policy which brought these grieved Muslims to attack French government buildings or military installations in France. No. They targeted peaceable, defenceless, law-abiding Jewish citizens; not caring for who they are.
(15) Anonymous, January 12, 2015 3:34 AM
what do we do now?
This article is 100% right we are not dismiss those threats to eradicate us, but how should we respond? what to do to stop this? You are only reminding us of a danger we all know consciously or subconsciously exists....but yet no real information about the most important information...HOW DO WE STOP THIS? of course to pray and strengthen ourselves religeously but what else..
(14) virginia, January 11, 2015 7:02 PM
obama
It saddens my heart that the president of the US still does not recognize that the killings in Paris were nothing more than an act of terrorism. It would have been wonderful if he or Karry were in Paris today. Shame on them.
(13) SoCal, January 10, 2015 5:34 PM
Jews in the West should be extremely wary of unlimited mass immigration, especially from Islam-dominant nations. These events will increase in the years to come with the rapid growth of Mohammed's faith in the West. Anti-semitism is growing in countless European nations, and it's not because of native European Christians.
Archi Rondel, January 17, 2015 2:12 PM
Where to go?
I can understand Jews going to settle in Israel, however they should think very hard. Muslim threats to Jews are real, in Europe Jews are sfaer than they would be in Israel, most Europeans are not anti-semetic. Israel is surround on three side by Muslim nations with only the sea fo 'escape'.
From a 'retired Jew' who lost many family in the Holcaust, check out the family name.
(12) Annie, January 10, 2015 6:39 AM
The people at Charlie set out to provoke and inflame-and they did. Their stock in trade was crude, offensive attacks, and it was only a matter of time before they went too far.
In 1985 in New Zealand, the French government sent two terrorists to blow up a Greenpeace ship to stop the protests about nuclear tests in the Pacific. They killed a crew member. The French Government then threatened NZ with trade sanctions if the killers were not released. I didn't see protests about this worldwide. America was silent. It seems that there's one rule for France and one for the rest of the world when it comes to freedom of expression..
James, January 11, 2015 2:45 PM
So Free Speech no longer exists if someone does not like the content?
You call it "crude offensive" language. So if I believe you (or anyone else) has engaged in "crude offensive" language, then I have the right to exterminate them? The satire-themed periodical also poked fun of Christians and Jews, yet I do not recall any Christians or Jews slaughtering numerous people who simply chose to print editorial cartoons? What a standard you have set if it is up to each individual to decide if he has been "insulted" by another's comments-- to the extent that cold-blooded murder is then justifiable.
I find your rationale to be quite disturbing.
(11) Anonymous, January 8, 2015 11:12 PM
freedom of expression
While no fan of offensive satire, especially when it offends other people's religious sensibilities, the attack in Paris plumbs the very depths of depravity. The most shocking scene on the news reports was that of the men calmly getting into the car and driving away almost as if they had been shopping.
In England we have a truism:
"I disagree with your views but will defend with my life you right to express them".
May the injured recover speedily and the dead rest in peace.
(10) Daniel, January 8, 2015 8:48 PM
Questioning and Making Fun of Religion is the 'Western' culture!
Since Galileo the west has thrived on questioning and ridiculing religious dogmas. All of modern Scientific knowledge stems from this fact. ANYONE WHO SAYS WE SHOULD LIMIT FREE SPEECH ON RELIGION>>> SHAME ON YOU!
THIS IS EXACTLY WHERE IT MATTERS MOST.
(9) Johanna O'Sullivan, January 8, 2015 7:39 PM
Did not German Fascism get its "green light" in the same manner: fear, taboo, silence and denial from the civilized world?
Anonymous, January 9, 2015 2:38 AM
France knew the perpetrators were terrorists
One of these men was convicted of funneling jihadists to Syria. He or the other trained with Al Qaeda in Yemen. Yet the French let them roam freely. Blood is on the hands of the French government failing to protect the public. So how much less safe are the Jews. They must leave this rabidly antisemitic country and leave France to deal with Islam.
(8) Alan, January 8, 2015 6:57 PM
Read the Koran
One only has to read the Koran and the other holy books of Islam to understand the rationale behind the events in Paris. Islam will not rest until it controls the entire world and, with this, kills all Jews and other "non-believers".
(7) John, January 8, 2015 6:25 PM
France was LUCKY
If these Islamic cult terrorists had actually BEEN WELL TRAINED (instead of just picking up a gun and shooting people), France would be mourning hundreds of dead civilians.
Several well placed suicide bombers on trains, buses, crowded malls, and even entrances to sporting events or concerts would heavily damage the French psyche, and freeze the country to a virtual standstill.
Again...be thankful these terrorists were just interested in rushing a building and spraying bullets......if they REALLY were professionals, one only needs to use their imagination to see how it could have been far worse.
(6) Remi Lessore, January 8, 2015 5:53 PM
French conversion?
1. Charlie Hebdo is a rag with abuses the Western spirit of free speech.
But
2. These people will behead one of their own for smoking. So not matter what Charlie Hebdo says, you cannot blame the dead.
Question.
Given 1 and 2
after a generation of anti-Israeli policy and rhetoric, will France finally learn who it's real enemy is?
Beverly Margolis-Kurtin, January 8, 2015 9:11 PM
Oh heck no
Read Genesis 16. There it tells the truth about Arabs: He, Ishmael, shall be a wild ass of a man his had against everyone's hand and everyone's hand against him.
Unfortunately, Europe decided after the Holocaust, that they were going to prove that they were not prejudiced so permitted Arabs to conquer their lands again.
Islam is a cult as anyone who has tried to convert to a real religion will attest to. They are put under the penalty of death. What real religion tries that?
ALL of Europe is turning their backs on Israel to prove their alliance with the Arabs that started with their dependence on Arab oil. But will they have learned their lesson? Hah!
Europe has always had as its basic religion a hate for all Jews. They celebrated Hitler. And when at last, we Jews had our own land, they turned against us in favor of the Arabs.
Europe will never learn its lesson. Today, they are recognizing a state that does not exist--Palestine. They use Israel's success in protecting their people as an excuse to further hate Israel.
They, as well as a growing number of Americans, are buying the Arab propaganda about Israel committing genocide against the Arabs. The fact that it is a lie means nothing to the Europeans: Hate the Jews and kill them to please the Arabs.
They have ALWAYS favored dictatorships. They are proving it again by fighting against the ONLY DEMOCRACY in the Middle East and upholding the dictatorships.
Recently, I wrote about Christianity being a dying religion in the Middle East and I was raked over the coals by those who have bought the Arab lies.
With the Republican take over of both houses of Congress, the United States has taken one more step towards fascism putting it in line with Europe's desire to go back to a fascist future.
I give up on humanity. As Mark Twain once said, "The French don't care what they DO as long as they pronounce it correctly."
Sigh...
Anonymous, January 9, 2015 2:42 AM
Answering his question
No. They won't . They are blinded by centuries of Jew hatred distorting their view of reality. There is justice on display. The words Dreyfus and Vichy are relevant.
(5) Melissa, January 8, 2015 5:16 PM
The 'limits' of free speech
It is really distressing to me that French officials warned the editors of Charlie Hebdo as early as 2012 to please not publish anti-Muslim cartoons. Isn't Free Speech also the right and opportunity to not publish a work? Is it responsible journalism to continue to publish in the wake of threats to people's lives? 12 souls dead & who is wishing they had just retracted that last issue, at least, ... which seemed to taunt terrorists about a fixed date - well they got one. Charlie Hebdo was reckless with their journalistic choices ... are these the 'limits of free speech'? Is that the correct way to frame this argument? I really wonder. There is a time and place for everything... even a time and place for a bit more conservatism - & a time to look at the people who feel disenfranchised in all countries and find ways to fight racism globally. Sustained peace is dependent upon a more compassionate approach ... to quench the fires of these 'crooked generations'.
Anonymous, January 8, 2015 9:13 PM
Blaming the victims
Do you realize that you have just blamed the victims for upholding the freedom of expression?
What are the limits of free speech? Apparently you do not realize that there should NOT be a limit.
Jake, January 8, 2015 9:44 PM
Letting Islamic radicals define what's permissible
You have a point, except that you're letting Islamic radicals and their religious leaders say what's permissible. Women wearing shorts? They hate the freedoms women have in other cultures more than just about anything. The imams also say gays should be killed. By the way, you, as a non-Moslem, are dis-enfranchised under Sharia; you are a second class citizen. How compassionate should we be when they whip you or your daughters for wearing short sleeves?
(4) Eric, January 8, 2015 4:26 PM
No way to stop crazy people
Unfortunately, there is no way to stop crazy people, whether they be Muslim, Christian, Jewish or Hindu. Again we will hear about that this is a small percentage of Muslims that are part of ISIS, Al-Qeda, etc. Until we hear a complete condemnation of these actions from all the Muslims states, nothing will really change.
It is ironic that in a nation where anti-Semitism is so strong and synagogues are attacked, Muslim radicals, who fan the flames, are killing innocent journalists.
Jade, January 8, 2015 7:53 PM
Can't stop crazy people
Eric,
You said that only a small percentage of Muslims are in ISIS or whatever. You may be right, but when that "small percentage" is threatening the peace of society, and I say society because they are targeting the peace of not only Jews, but Americans as well, one shouldn't play the "crazy people can't be stopped" card. YOU HAVE TO STAND UP TO BAD; BE IT BECAUSE OF CRAZY PEOPLE, OR THOSE THAT ARE SANE BUT ARE JUST PLAIN EVIL. The world has to WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
" The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke
(3) barbara, January 8, 2015 4:08 PM
we do pay attention
I think this is an excellent article,very thought provoking.However,It seems to infer that the multitude of threats have not been taken seriously.In this terrible situation,There was police protection for this office as well as the editor and the cartoonists were well aware of the threats and chose to to use their gifts to express the beliefs they held through satire.There are countless threats through the U.S. and we see response to those threats all the time.It seems to me that ,for the most part ,civilized society takes this extremely seriously.I am wondering if the author would offer some response as to suggestions of what we could do to advance both safety and peace.I ask this sincerely and in the spirit of freedom for all.
(2) Rabino, January 8, 2015 3:49 PM
Even snake handlers die from snake bites
You are hearing almost monthly, that children in the US that have been taunted by their teachers or classmates have gone out and returned with a firearm putting an end to those that taunted them. The Imam's have impassioned their followers to annihilate anyone that blasphemes the name of Muhammed. France like the UK has taken the doors off the hinges & has brought this wrath upon themselves. The islamization of Europe is already in full swing. Majority of the EU countries have signed a statement of statehood for the itinerant group of terrorists on Israel's borders. There are already race riots in the US and beheadings in Michigan. Anti-Semitism in the world is once again rearing its ugly head. The solution for the French Jews and all Jews is to sell off their properties and transfer what savings they have to Israel and move to Israel. If you will look at despicable actions of the US President towards the PM of Israel and how he bows to the King of Saudi Arabia, you don't need to adjust your eyesight you need to adjust your compass to move out of the US or Europe to Israel. The solution is move to Israel. Unrest in the world will continue and there will be a major event in the next few years.
Anonymous, January 8, 2015 6:33 PM
Well said Rabino!!!
Bravo to you for your comments and incredible insight as to the reality on the ground in France. Jews need to leave and make aliyah out of all of EU especially France and UK. I believe that G-d's mighty hand will judge Esau by way of the Islamization of the European nations and their increased lack of support for Israel.
Anonymous, January 8, 2015 9:25 PM
Death to Israel?
The only thing that is going to stop what is currently going on is the death of Israel and all Jews no matter where we are.
Does that offend you? I hope it does. ALL Jews need to be armed and be ready to fire back this time around.
Anonymous, January 9, 2015 5:03 AM
Moving to Israel is not the answer until Moshiach comes
If all Jews move to Israel now, with no clear assurance when the Messianic era will begin, the terrorists' goal will only be easier to achieve. France, Britain, America, Australia and every other country would be off the hook. Once they have no Jews in their midst, why would they lift a finger to help preserve this remote little place from the surrounding hostile forces? As it is now, the bad guys face an insurmountable problem. They simply cannot achieve a total wipeout of Jews throughout the galus (lands outside Israel). Face it, for all its flaws and shortcomings, a galus sprinkled with vibrant Jewish communities remains Israel's most effective insurance policy until the advent of Moshiach -- may that happen in our time. Until then, protection of Israel remains vital -- but the survival of the Jewish people takes precedence.
(1) jack, January 8, 2015 1:00 PM
And so ....
What do you recommend doing?
You've presented a very compelling case for a problem. Though you've not suggested any solution.
Anonymous, January 8, 2015 4:00 PM
solutions
The author does recommend advise that we take threats more seriously. Which is very important step toward handling the situation
Eric, January 8, 2015 4:14 PM
Good point
It is always easier to point out the problem than to offer solutions.
Remi Lessore, January 8, 2015 5:56 PM
solutions in the rule of law
The solution is that we remain civilised in the face of their barbarity.
That we maintain our civil liberties rather than be dictated to by these people.
That our security services catch them and deal with them according to the rule of law.
They will.
jamie, January 8, 2015 6:14 PM
she did offer one step towards a solution
and that is to stop living in delusion and take their threats seriously. that is the first step towards dealing with the problem. I also don't see the commenter recommending his or her solutions