2,000 people expected in Toulouse, ten years after the attack
That was just ten years ago. Mohammed Merah murdered seven people in Toulouse and Montauban, in three attacks. First, on March 11, 2012, where he marked the soldier Imad Ibn Ziaten. Then, on March 15, two soldiers aged 24 and 26 were killed: Mohamed Legouad and Abel Chennouf. On March 19, the shooting of the Jewish school takes place Ozar Hatorah. A rabbi and school teacher, Jonathan Sandler along with his children Gabriel and Arieh, and a student, Myriam lose their lives. It is to pay homage to them thata commemorative ceremony will be organized on Sunday March 20, 2022 in Toulouse.
After a minute of silence the day before in the square Charles de Gaulle, the ceremony will begin at 2.30 p.m. part of a symposium organized by the Halle aux grains, in the city center of Toulouse. According to Franck Touboul, President of CRIF Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées (Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France) and organizer of the event, this moment of exchange will be an opportunity to “find a way to live together, united, a few weeks before the presidential election and in the face of the Islamist threat.”
A symposium, an official ceremony and a play
The afternoon will continue around 4 p.m. with the commemorative ceremony itself. Three speeches have already been made for about two hours: that ofEmanuel Macron, that of Israeli president has and the one at Frank Touboul. A ceremony under very high surveillance with the assistance of the City, the Department, the Region. The ceremony will be directed by Steve Suissa. In particular, children must read testimonials. Tribute must also be paid to the Ohr Torah school (formerly called Ozar Hatorah). Emmanuel Macron and Isaac Herzog must go there but we don’t know what time yet.
Finally, the day will end with a play premiered at the Halle aux Grains. “Le nageur d’Auschwitz”, directed by Steve Suissa, with Franco-Israeli singer Amir in the lead role. The play tells the story of the Toulouse swimming champion, Alfred Nakache, survivor of the Shoah.
Three Presidents of the Republic and six Prime Ministers invited
In total, 2,000 people could attend this tribute. Ceremony will be open to the public, upon registration. Many personalities and political representatives make the trip. Overseas Emmanuel Macronformer presidents Nicolas Sarkozy (in power during the attacks) and François Hollande (who succeeded him) were invited. Nicolas Sarkozy has already confirmed his arrival. All prime ministers since 2012 are also invited François Fillon, Jean-Marc Ayrault, Bernard Cazeneuve, Manuel Valls, Édouard Philippe and Jean Castex. Invitations have been created for ambassadors from several Arab countries and Germany. Almost all local elected officials should also be on site.
Elected officials from other cities affected by Islamist terrorist attacks were also to make the trip: Anne Hidago, the mayor of Paris, Joachim Moyse, the mayor of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray (Seine-Maritime), or even Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice. Yes presidential candidates are expectedFranck Touboul specifies that “Not all are welcome. The most extremists and those who have had insulting and atrocious words with regard to the Jewish community are not invited.”
Families of victims and religious authorities will be present
Religious communities will also be represented: the chief rabbi of France Haïm Korsia, the president of the central Consistory (the supreme body representing French Judaism) as well as the national president of CRIF, and numerous Imams. Proof, a large place will be given to the families of victims. Samuel Sandler, father and grandfather of a teacher and two children killed at the Jewish school is invited, as well as Latifa Ibn Ziaetnen, mother of the first soldier assassinated in Toulouse or Albert Chennouf-Meyer, father of a soldier killed at Montauban. Many lawyers present during the trial of Mohammed Merah’s brother will also be there.
Through this event, Franck Touboul wants “the Jewish community wishes to take its part in the debate, to face reality without amalgamation and without rejection of the other. Toulouse was the starting point of the Islamist terrorist wave. We want these commemorations to become a point of general mobilization for finally get it over with.”