French President Emmanuel Macron has deployed up to 7,000 soldiers for increased security patrols following a teacher’s killing in an Islamist attack. The Louvre museum, Palace of Versailles, and Paris’ Gare de Lyon train station were evacuated due to bomb alerts, which turned out to be false alarms. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin stated that a “jihadist atmosphere” had developed, and a certain number of people were taking action in the name of radical Islam. Macron’s office announced that the soldiers would remain deployed until further notice for ongoing security operations.
These developments occur as France hosts the Rugby World Cup and prepares for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. The government has taken measures to ensure the safety of the events. Darmanin mentioned that 3,500 police officers would be deployed to provide security for the matches and protect Jewish sites. France has been a target of various Islamist attacks, including the November 2015 attacks in Paris.
In response to the recent events, 189 anti-Semitic acts have been identified since last Saturday, resulting in 65 arrests. Additionally, several pro-Hamas associations will be dissolved. France has also banned pro-Palestinian protests, and despite the ban, nine people were arrested at a small demonstration in Paris on Saturday.