Paris, 7 January 2015

In a letter to the editorial team of Charlie Hebdo, Wiesenthal Centre French President, Richard Odier and Director for International Relations, Dr. Shimon Samuels, expressed "horror at today's atrocity, our sympathy to the families of its victims and prayers for the wounded."

Samuels noted that "in 2005, we shared the same courtroom with Charlie Hebdo as your then editor, Philippe Val, as we were both charged with defamation by a French Palestinian solidarity organisation."

Odier added, "Today is a black day for freedom of expression, tolerance and respect in France as the very values of the Republic are under attack."

Samuels stressed that "Jihadi fanaticism and terrorism are the same reality for its victims, whether in France, Israel or beyond."

The Centre urged that "the authorities draw the lessons of today and crack down on these threats with all measures available."