In Paris, a Coda In a Kosher Grocery

It is hard to keep up with all the news from France: the terrorist who killed a police woman on Thursday is now believed to have connections of some sort with the Kouachi brothers; the brothers have taken a hostage and have told police they want to die a “martyr’s death”; and Amedy Coulibaly, the terrorist who killed the police woman, accompanied by a female accomplice, has attacked a kosher grocery store and taken at least five hostages. He is also believed to have killed some who were in the store.

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Perhaps the choice of a kosher grocery was random, but most likely not. One is reminded of the Mumbai attack, where the terrorists mainly went after prominent public spaces–a train station, a major hotel–but couldn’t resist swinging by a little Jewish community center to kill a few Jews. Something of the sort seems to be going on here, manifesting one of the many ugly aspects of Islamic terrorism.

Meanwhile, it is hard to believe how inept French police work has been in this crisis. When the dust has settled, the French are going to have to rethink security in a major way.

Terrorist Amedy Coulibaly (R) and accomplice Hayat Boumeddiene (L)

Terrorist Amedy Coulibaly (R) and accomplice Hayat Boumeddiene (L)

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