French authorities denounced a terrorist attack on a Jewish synagogue in La Grande-Motte that injured a police officer. Two cars were set on fire, with one exploding and causing the injury. President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Gabriel Attal condemned the antisemitic attack, promising to find the perpetrator.
Suspect reportedly seen wearing a Palestinian flag
Police confirmed the arson attempt but did not provide many details. CCTV footage showed the suspect with a Palestinian flag tied around his waist. The incident occurred during Shabbat, but no one was inside the synagogue at the time. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin classified it as a criminal act and reassured that efforts were ongoing to arrest the suspect.
Antisemitic incidents have surged in France since the Hamas terror attacks in Israel, with Islamophobic acts also increasing. Darmanin reported 887 antisemitic acts in the first half of 2024, nearly tripling compared to 2023. The government is committed to combating these forms of hatred.