Police have detained a suspect in connection with an attempted arson attack on a synagogue in La Grande-Motte, a town in southern France. The suspect was apprehended during a raid in nearby Nimes, where he allegedly opened fire on elite police units. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin praised the police for their professionalism during the operation, noting that the suspect was wounded but not critically.
The arrest follows an explosion outside the Synagogue Beth Yaacov in La Grande-Motte, where a police officer was injured. The suspect had set several cars on fire in a parking lot across from the synagogue, leading to a powerful explosion. Authorities believe the suspect intended to enter the synagogue but failed and attempted to set fire to the building’s exterior.
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French President Emmanuel Macron and other officials condemned the attack, emphasizing the ongoing fight against antisemitism in the country. Anti-terrorism prosecutors have taken charge of the investigation, which has identified the suspect as carrying a Palestinian flag and a gun during the incident.
The attack is part of a troubling trend of increasing violence against France’s Jewish community, the largest in Europe. In response, security around Jewish institutions has been further reinforced, and officials are working to ensure the safety of the community.
