French authorities have opened a terrorism investigation after a suspected arson attack on a synagogue in the southwestern Mediterranean town of La Grande Motte left a police officer injured. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, has prompted a manhunt for the suspect and drawn condemnation from top government officials.
A potential terrorist attack at the Beth Yaacov synagogue complex in La Grande-Motte has led to heightened concerns over security and anti-Semitism in the region. According to the National Anti-terrorism Prosecutor’s Office, two cars parked at the synagogue were set ablaze, causing significant damage. A propane gas tank in one of the vehicles exploded, injuring a police officer who was already on the scene. Fortunately, the officer’s injuries are reported to be non-life-threatening.
Authorities revealed that additional fires were discovered at two entrances to the synagogue. Five people, including the rabbi, were present in the synagogue complex at the time of the attack but were unharmed.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the incident as a “terrorist act” on social media platform X, stating that “everything is being done to find [the] perpetrator.” He emphasized that “the fight against anti-Semitism is a constant battle.”
The attack has drawn significant concern from various levels of government. Acting Prime Minister Gabriel Attal described the incident as an “act of anti-Semitism,” while Acting Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin ordered increased police protection for Jewish places of worship throughout France. Darmanin confirmed that the incident is being treated as an “attempted arson” and “clearly a criminal act.
La Grande-Motte, a seaside resort near Montpellier, is home to approximately 8,500 permanent residents, though the population increases significantly during the summer tourism season.
The attack has prompted swift responses from French authorities, with President Macron assuring that “all means are being mobilized to find the perpetrator.
