Teen with machete attacks Jewish man outside Marseille synagogue

On Monday, in the broad daylight of Marseille, a 35-year-old yarmulke-clad teacher was on his way to work at the Franco-Hebraic Institute when a 15-year-old teenager attacked him with a machete from behind.

“He claimed to have acted in the name of Allah and the Islamic State, repeating several times to have done on behalf of Daes”, he told journalists.

The incidents point to heightened religious tensions in France less than two months after attacks by Islamic extremists in Paris left 130 people dead and hundreds injured. The victim, a man reportedly in his 30s identified only as Benjamin A., suffered wounds to his back and an arm.

The suspect is believed to have “the profile of someone who was radicalized on the internet”, according to the prosecutor.

Another source said: “This is a very excited individual, but one who clearly claims responsibility for his act, which you can describe as anti-Semitic”.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls reacted with a tweet saying: “The anti-Semitic aggression against a teacher in Marseille is revolting”.

The teen is said to be a good student who previously showed no signs of radicalisation.

The night before, a Muslim woman wearing a veil was attacked in Marseille by a man wielding a box cutter.

He faces charges of attempted murder on grounds of religion and defence of terrorism.

On November 18, three people stabbed a Jewish teacher in the name of IS as they shouted anti-Semitic insults.