French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin called for increased vigilance especially around “places of worship and schools”

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has called on law enforcement agencies for “reinforced protection” of places frequented by the Jewish community, which was threatened in mid-April by the Islamic State (EI) group, French media reported.

On April 17, in an audio statement posted on Telegram, the jihadist organization promised to “avenge” its previous leader, who died in February, and called on its followers to take advantage of the war in Ukraine to resume their attacks in Europe.

“In its message, the group particularly targets the Jewish community,” the Interior Minister wrote.

The minister asked the prefects and the general directors of the police and gendarmerie “to redouble their vigilance and to organize reinforced protection of places of interest to the Jewish community in France,” in particular “places of worship, culture and schools.”

France has the largest Jewish community in Europe, with around 500,000 people