Theater Received Threats Over Pro-Israel Events Before the Attacks
Source: Daily Forward
(JTA) - Before Fridays bloodbath at Pariss Le Bataclan concert venue, this centrally-located hall from the 19th century had received numerous threats over pro-Israel events hosted there.
In 2006-2009 at least, Le Bataclan hosted the annual fundraising gala of the French Jewish Migdal nonprofit group for the Israeli Border Police. Last month, it hosted a gathering of some 500 Zionist Christians who came there in support of the Jewish state.
In one case involving threats against Le Bataclan, a group of approximately 10 men wearing Arab keffiyehs over their faces arrived in December 2008 at the theater, demanding to speak to management.
This is something we cannot continue to accept, one of the men from the group was filmed telling the security guards outside Le Bataclan. You will pay the consequences of your actions, the same person, his voice electronically distorted, told the camera after the confrontation, which ended peacefully. We came here to pass along a small message. Be warned. Next time we wont be coming here to talk.
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Le Bataclan may have had a Zionist link in the past, but if the perpetrators wanted to select a site tied to Israel to send a message, it doesnt strike me as a very effective target, he said. To the general population, Le Bataclan is just a concert hall and nothing more, he said.
Shashani noted that unsubstantiated rumors also linked the attack to the Eagles of Death Metal band, because it performed in Israel in July. During the concert in Tel Aviv, lead singer Jesse Hughes recalled how Roger Waters, a former member of the Pink Floyd band and a promoter of a boycott against Israel, asked the band to stay away. I answered with two words: F**ck you! he told the cheering audience, adding: I would never boycott a place like this.
The band escaped the attack unscathed.
Shashani said it was far-fetched to suppose the band was the reason for Le Bataclans targeting.
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Read more: http://forward.com/news/breaking-news/324759/paris-bataclan-theater-recieved-threats-over-pro-israel-events-before-the-a/