French School Evacuated Over Bomb Threat

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Facts

  • A high school in northern France was evacuated Monday morning, following the receipt of a bomb alert. The warning came days after one of its teachers was stabbed to death.1
  • The Lycee Gambetta high school was closed on Monday following the murder of Dominique Bernard on Friday, which Pres. Emmanuel Macron condemned as “barbaric Islamic terrorism.” Students and staff, however, went to the school to pay tributes to the late teacher.2
  • Following the threat, law enforcement set up a security perimeter around the Arras school. A bomb disposal squad then swept the building, evacuating students, teachers, and other staff.3
  • French police — who have been on high alert since last week's killing — received the threat via their website. Counter-terrorism authorities are holding a murder suspect, along with several others, in custody. A probe is reportedly in progress, while schools across the country have observed a moment of silence over the teacher's death.4
  • Though the threat was a false alarm, Macron has reviewed security with the prime minister and other government and military officials, opting out of a summit on the Western Balkans. Interior minister Gerald Darmanin said 102 people have been arrested for anti semitic acts or incitement to terrorism in France since Hamas attacked Israel earlier this month.5
  • On Saturday, the buildings of the Louvre Museum in Paris and Versailles Palace were evacuated over bomb threats. Education minister Gabriel Attal said French schools have received 168 bomb threats since September, amid plans for the deployment of thousands of French soldiers to maintain order.5

Sources: 1ABC News, 2Reuters, 3La Prensa Latina Media, 4Independent and 5Associated Press.

Narratives

  • Right narrative, as provided by Valeurs Actuelles. Over the last decade, political correctness has prevented weak leaders and the liberal establishment from forcefully acknowledging the danger of Islamification. France has a terror problem as a result of its immigration policy. France's politicians must now decide whether to bow down to terrorists in the wake of recent attacks or to reclaim the nation's sovereignty and security.
  • Left narrative, as provided by Le Monde. Muslims, who continue to face attacks in France, are being demonized for the actions of a few dangerous actors. The vast majority of Muslims are peaceful citizens, and French imams were among the first to denounce the Arras teacher's stabbing. France must work to recognize and respect its diverse citizens, rather than hold all Muslims collectively responsible for the actions of a minority.

Predictions