World leaders, journalists’ groups and faith-based organizations expressed horror at the deadly Jan. 7 attack by gunmen on the Paris offices of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo.
French President Francois Hollande condemned it as “an act of exceptional barbarism” and noted that several other terror actions had been thwarted in recent weeks.
President Barack Obama offered U.S. help in pursuing the gunmen. In a statement, he offered prayers and support for France: “France is America’s oldest ally, and has stood shoulder to shoulder with the United States in the fight against terrorists who threaten our shared security and the world. Time and again, the French people have stood up for the universal values that generations of our people have defended.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron said his country stood united with France. “We stand squarely for free speech and democracy. These people will never be able to take us off those values,” Cameron said in the House of Commons.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also condemned the attack as a “cynical crime” and pledged cooperation in fighting terrorism.
Jewish organizations around the world offered their own condemnations and warnings.
“Islamic terrorism has struck once again in the heart of our beloved France,” said Simone Rodan Benzaquen, director of the American Jewish Committee in Paris. “Their target was both those who worked at the magazine and the laudable values of an open, democratic society they embodied. There can be no compromise with such murderers and their heinous world view.”
World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder condemned the attack as “a heinous act of terror aimed at the free press in France and beyond.” He urged the West to stand united against the menace and act strongly against all those who spread hatred and intolerance.
“Three years after the massacre at a Jewish school in Toulouse, and eight months after the deadly attack at the Jewish Museum in Brussels, we are faced with yet another brutal Islamist terror attack in Western Europe,” Lauder declared. “This time, the target was the media, but it affects all of us. We must not be intimidated by their campaign and must uphold and defend our Western values.”
Roger Cukierman, president of the French Jewish umbrella body CRIF, said, “Today, France is in shock. We mourn the victims of this despicable crime and send our condolences to their families.
“This attack requires a strong and determined response not just by France, but by the European Union as a whole,” he continued. “There are people — a small minority, but a dangerous one nonetheless — living in our midst who cannot stand openness, diversity, a pluralistic press and freedom of religious worship. Islamist terrorism is the main threat to our security and well-being today, and it must be fought vigorously everywhere.”
Muslim advocacy groups across the U.S. condemned the attack, and the president of the Union of French Mosques urged France’s main faith communities to come together in its wake. Mohammed Moussaoui said his group condemned “this hateful, criminal act. … While the terrorists are intensifying their acts to exacerbate the confrontation inside our country, both Muslim and Christians have to intensify their actions to give more strength to this dialogue, to make a united front against extremism.” — j. staff & wire services