Events postponed and security increased at Jewish sites in France and Italy, as Israel rallies for French victims

The Cultural and University Jewish Space of Europe (ECUJE) said in a statement: “In full solidarity with the grieving families and in accordance with the state of emergency declared by the government, we hereby inform you of the suspension of all of our activities.”

These included Hebrew-language courses and synagogue services. There are roughly 350,000 Jews living in Paris.

Meanwhile, Italy is also said to have upped its protection of Jewish and Israeli sites, after a chasidic Jew was stabbed in Milan on Thursday night.

The incident, which is not believed to be related to the terror attacks that took place in France, occurred when Natan Graf was stabbed multiple times by an unidentified man outside a kosher pizzeria. He is currently recovering in hospital.

Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said in a statement he was meeting with Jewish leaders to affirm “the commitment of law enforcement agencies to guarantee security for Jewish institutions and the potential sites that those who foment hatred might want to target."

On Saturday night, a rally organised in Tel Aviv to show solidarity with France attracted thousands of people, who came waving French flags and signing the French national anthem.

French Ambassador to Israel Patrick Maisonnave told the crowd that their presence was "a vivid testimony to the fact that France is not alone in this struggle”.

He added: “I thank the people and the authorities of this country, Israel, for their flawless support. Democracies do not seek vengeance and revenge. They seek justice. The fight against radical Islam is our common struggle.”

Former Israeli President Shimon Peres was also in attendance, as well as leader of the opposition MK Isaac Herzog.