International arrest warrant issued for Palestinian suspects in 1982 Paris attack

Cnaan Liphshiz

(JTA) – France had an international arrest warrant issued against three Palestinians it suspects of carrying out a deadly terrorist attack 32 years ago against Paris Jews.

The men, residing in Jordan, Norway and the West Bank or Gaza, are believed to be involved in the 1982 Goldenberg restaurant attack in Paris’ heavily Jewish 4th arrondissement, a district also known as the Marais, the broadcaster RTL reported Wednesday. The report did not name the suspects.

Six people died and 22 were wounded at the Jewish-owned restaurant, which became the scene of the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in France after World War II. French authorities blamed Sabri Khalil al-Banna, a Fatah operative also known as Abu-Nidal, for the attack but the shooters were never caught.

Alain Jakubowicz, president of the LICRA watchdog against anti-Semitism and racism, told RTL: “It gives a sense of justice,” adding: “no criminal, no terrorist can hide indefinitely because wherever they are, they will be stopped.”

Among the victims of the attack were two American citizens, Anne Van Zanten and Grace Cutler.