Paying tribute to Toulouse victims, France vows 'tireless' fight against terror

On 5th anniversary of attack that killed Jewish teacher and 3 children, Hollande says ‘democracy will always be stronger than Islamist barbarism’

French President Francois Hollande on Saturday vowed Paris would “tirelessly” combat terrorism, as tributes poured in across France for the victims of Toulouse massacres on the fifth anniversary of the attacks.

Hollande addressed the families of the victims killed by Mohamed Merah, telling them that “France is always at their side” and that “it will continue tirelessly its fight against terrorism.”

“Five years ago, between March 11 and 22, 2012, seven of our compatriots died in Toulouse and Montauban, victims of the murderous attack of a hate-filled terrorist,” said Hollande in a statement.

In March 2012, Merah, a self-described al-Qaeda sympathizer who had traveled to Afghanistan and Pakistan, shot dead a teacher, Rabbi Jonathan Sandler, and three Jewish schoolchildren — Sandler’s two young sons, Arieh and Gavriel, as well as 8-year-old Miriam Monsonego — at the Otzar Hatorah Jewish school in Toulouse before fleeing on a motorcycle.

Reproduction photo of 8-year-old Miriam Monsonego, daughter of school headmaster Rabbi Yaacov Monsonego, who was killed in a shooting attack at the Ozar Hatorah School in Toulouse, France, early Monday morning. (photo credit: Flash90) — 8-year-old Miriam Monsonego, daughter of school headmaster Rabbi Yaacov Monsonego, who was killed in a shooting attack at the Ozar Hatorah School in Toulouse, France, on March 19, 2012 (photo credit: Flash90)

Merah also killed three soldiers in Toulouse and nearby Montauban in the nine-day killing spree. He was shot dead by police at his hiding place two days after the school massacre.

“Imad Ibn Ziaten, Abel Chennouf and Mohamed Legouad were murdered because they were French soldiers; Jonathan Sandler, his two sons… and Monsonego were killed because of their Jewish religion,” said Hollande.

French president François Hollande (R) meets people after visiting the works of the future Robert Boulin hospital on March 11, 2017 in Libourne, southwestern France.on March 11, 2017 in Libourne, southwestern France. (AFP PHOTO / GEORGES GOBET)

“In killing soldiers, by attacking children in a school, all of France was attacked,” he said. “I want to tell their families that France is always at their side and that democracy will always be stronger than the Islamist barbarism that has declared war against it. The Republic, which faces adversity and is able to preserve its unity and its attachment to freedom, will tirelessly pursue its fight against terrorism.”

Toulouse Rabbi Harold Avraham Weill said in a memorial service that “the attack was the prelude to a national horror. There was a clear demarcation before and after March 19.”

Toulouse Mayor Jean-Luc Moudenc said the “horror of this act will remain engraved in the memory of the Toulouse people.”

Latifa Ibn Ziaten (C), president of the French IMAD association and mother of French soldier Imad Ibn Ziaten, who was killed by Islamist gunman Mohamed Merah on March 8, 2012, places laurels upon a grave during a ceremony commemorating her son in a cemetery in the Moroccan city of M'diq on March 11, 2017, where she is accompanied by French ambassador in Rabat Jean-François Girault (C-R). (AFP PHOTO / FADEL SENNA) — Latifa Ibn Ziaten (C), president of the French IMAD association and mother of French soldier Imad Ibn Ziaten, who was killed by Islamist gunman Mohamed Merah on March 8, 2012, places laurels upon a grave during a ceremony commemorating her son in a cemetery in the Moroccan city of M’diq on March 11, 2017, where she is accompanied by French ambassador in Rabat Jean-François Girault (C-R). (AFP PHOTO / FADEL SENNA)

The right-wing presidential candidate François Fillon wrote an open letter on Saturday to Latifa Ibn Ziaten, the Muslim mother of the first victim killed five years ago by Merah. Ibn Ziaten has worked with Islamic youth since her son’s death to prevent them from becoming radicalized. Fillon thanked her for her fight for the “cohesion” of the country.

“By enabling these young people to realize that they are all children of the Republic, you contribute to… the cohesion of our country.” he said.

“I join your grief in these days when we remember the tragedy of March 11th and all the victims of Mohamed Merah’s family. Your courage and generosity are an example,” he said.