French police arrested a suspect following an explosion outside a synagogue in La Grande-Motte. The incident involved two doors and vehicles being set on fire, with one policeman injured. The attack occurred as worshippers were arriving for the Jewish sabbath. Acting Prime Minister Gabriel Attal warned of potential fatalities if the synagogue had been full at the time.
Details of the arrest
The anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office took over the investigation, leading to the arrest of a man suspected of perpetrating the attack. The suspect engaged in a shootout with police, resulting in a face wound. Reports suggest he is a 33-year-old Algerian. The rising antisemitism in France has been linked to recent events involving Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, with the suspect allegedly seen with a Palestinian flag before the attack.
Government Response
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned antisemitism and pledged unified action. The government plans to enhance security measures at synagogues and Jewish schools nationwide. These actions aim to combat the alarming increase in antisemitic crimes across Europe.
(Source: Reuters, dpa)