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Jewish man stabbed in France, attacker shouts 'Allahu Akhbar' - reports Jewish man stabbed in France, attacker shouts 'Allahu Akhbar'
(about 2 hours later)
A Jewish man has been stabbed by a Muslim attacker in the French city of Strasbourg, according to local media sources. He is has been taken to hospital and is in a stable condition, while the perpetrator has been arrested and is being questioned by police. A Jewish man has been stabbed by a Muslim attacker in the French city of Strasbourg, according to local media sources. He has been taken to hospital and is in a stable condition, while the perpetrator has been arrested and is being questioned by police.
The victim, who has been named as Mr. Levy, is reported by a colleague to be a rabbi. He was stabbed by a man who shouted “Allahu Akhbar” (God is greatest), according to the 20minutes news platform.  The attack took place at around 11:00am local time (09:00 GMT). The man, named as Mr. Levy, an Orthodox Jew, was assaulted just outside his home around 500 meters from the main synagogue in the city, his friend Mendel Samama told RT.
The attack took place at around 11:00am local time (09:00 GMT). Mr. Levi, who has been described as an Orthodox Jew, was assaulted just outside his home around 500 meters away from the main synagogue in the city, according to AFP. “He was walking home from the market after buying some things for the Sabbath and when he was by his house, someone came up to him and screamed ‘Allahu Akhbar’ and stabbed him,” said Samama, who is a rabbi based in Strasbourg.
“I just spoke to Mr. Levy, who was the victim of a knife attack and is condition is stable,” said Mendel Samama, who is rabbi based in Strasbourg, Le Soir reported. “We pray that he makes a quick recovery.” Reports say he suffered superficial stab wounds to the chest. Samama also added that Mr. Levy was very lucky as the stab wound was very close to his heart. The victim is currently in hospital but is expected to be released within the next few days.
“He is very shocked and when he was telling me the story for the first time, he was crying,” Rabbi Samama told RT. “He feels that he has had a miracle because when the guy stabbed him the first time, he wanted to stab him again, but he had an amazing reaction and was able to run away.”
The perpetrator was detained by police and taken into custody for questioning. Witnesses say that the attacker was between 30 and 40 years old. According to the Journal du Dimanche publication, the attacker had a history of psychiatric problems.The perpetrator was detained by police and taken into custody for questioning. Witnesses say that the attacker was between 30 and 40 years old. According to the Journal du Dimanche publication, the attacker had a history of psychiatric problems.
So far, the prosecutor has only confirmed that a man has been arrested, without releasing further details regarding the case. “In 2010, he attacked another Jew in the city center of Strasbourg and he has psychological problems… How is it possible that someone like this can be on the streets as he can attack anybody,” Samama said. 
According to Strasbourg’s chief rabbi, Rene Gutman, the attacker had carried out a similar assault six years ago on a Jew in the city. He was arrested on that occasion and placed in a psychiatric hospital, the France Bleu publication reports.
“The reference to Islam is worrying, but it does not reflect the current climate that exists between the Jewish and Muslim communities in Strasbourg,” Gutman said.
Strasbourg has one of the largest Jewish populations in France, with around 15,000 members of the faith living in the city, which sits on the German border. In total, Jews make up about 5 percent of the city’s population.Strasbourg has one of the largest Jewish populations in France, with around 15,000 members of the faith living in the city, which sits on the German border. In total, Jews make up about 5 percent of the city’s population.
“We all live with the other different communities in peace and quiet. We hope that this will not disturb the peaceful atmosphere of Strasbourg. The chief rabbi of Strasbourg, Rabbi [Rene] Gutman has done a big job in the city to have an inter-religious and strong dialogue… I believe that Strasbourg is still a good city for the Jewish people,” Samama concluded. 
The attack comes after two men pledging allegiance to Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) slit the throat of a Catholic priest in a church near Rouen in July. An elderly parishioner was also injured in the attack.The attack comes after two men pledging allegiance to Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) slit the throat of a Catholic priest in a church near Rouen in July. An elderly parishioner was also injured in the attack.
READ MORE: After slitting priest’s throat, France church attackers smiled & talked peace and God – witnessesREAD MORE: After slitting priest’s throat, France church attackers smiled & talked peace and God – witnesses
Abdel Malik Petitjean and Adel Kermiche, both 19, were killed by French police as they tried to flee the 17th century church in the town of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.Abdel Malik Petitjean and Adel Kermiche, both 19, were killed by French police as they tried to flee the 17th century church in the town of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.