Authorities investigating an explosion outside a synagogue in southern France are looking at a possible “attempted terrorist murder”.
According to the authorities, the explosion started from two cars set on fire outside the Beth Yaacov synagogue in the tourist resort of La Grande-Motte. One of the vehicles harbored a concealed gas canister.
Police sources told French media that the man seen on CCTV lighting fire to the vehicles carried a Palestinian flag and possibly a pistol, with unknown motives.
Leader of the Jewish community Yonathan Arfi described the occurrence as “an attempt to kill Jews,” pointing out that it seemed timed to strike worshippers on Saturday mornings.
One police officer was reportedly hurt in the explosion, which occurred between 08:00 and 08:30 local time (07:00–07:30 BST). It is not thought that his wounds endanger his life.
Officials claim that at that point five people—including the rabbi—were inside the synagogue. President Emmanuel Macron said of the attack: “a terrorist act”.
Later on Saturday, it is expected that French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin will pay the scene visits.
While Mr. Darmanin said security surrounding Jewish sites will be reinforced, Mr. Attal described the incident as “an antisemitic act.” Both have criticized the assault. The internal minister went on, “I want to assure the municipality and our Jewish fellow citizens of my full support.”
Security personnel had been tracking the suspect, as said by both leaders.
The police keep a close eye on several synagogues and Jewish institutions in France, where the Jewish community already lives under tight security.
“Exploding a gas bottle in a car in front of the Grande Motte synagogue at the expected time of arrival of the faithful: it’s not just attacking a place of worship, it’s an attempt to kill Jews,” Yonathan Arfi, who leads the CRIF, an umbrella organization of French Jewish groups, said on X.
France’s police protection of synagogues, Jewish schools, and Jewish-owned businesses will be reinforced, according to Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin. According to him, the incident is being investigated as “clearly a criminal act” and as an “attempted arson.”
In a post on X, Darmanin stated, “I want to assure our Jewish fellow citizens of my full support and say that at the request of President Emmanuel Macron, all means are being mobilized to find the perpetrator”
Darmanin is expected to travel to Le Grand Motte later on Saturday alongside France’s acting Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.
Antisemitism Surges: France on Alert
A January 2024 report by the Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF) found that antisemitic incidents increased in France by almost three times between 2022 and 2023.
After a synagogue in the northwest city of Rouen was set on fire in May, cops opened fire on the man.
Four individuals were killed in a hostage incident at a kosher store in 2015, which happened two days after the shootings in the Charlie Hebdo magazine.
The explosion occurred in the midst of rising fears for the Jewish population in Europe with the release of the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency’s (FRA) most recent study, which revealed that antisemitism against Jews in the bloc remains strong. The poll was released last month.
Interviews were performed with over 8,000 Jews from 13 EU nations, including Germany and France. 96% of respondents claimed to have personally experienced racism.
The attempted arson attack has drawn condemnation from all areas of French politics. Both the far-right Jordan Bardella of the National Rally and left-wing politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon referred to it as “a criminal and antisemitic act” and called it an “intolerable crime”.
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