Arrest made over attempted arson on French synagogue
A 33-year-old man has been arrested over an attempted arson attack on a synagogue in southern France.
Man arrested in France: Pic: Sylvie Cambon/EPA
French police have arrested a man suspected of trying to set a synagogue ablaze in the southern city of la Grande-Motte.
About 200 police officers had been hunting for the suspect, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said on Saturday, adding the attacker had set fire to several entry doors to the synagogue and several nearby cars.
BFM TV said the suspect was a 33-year-old Algerian. Local Police declined to give details.
A policeman was slightly injured when a gas bottle exploded as police secured the site of the attack on Saturday morning, Attal said.
“This is an antisemitic attack. Once more, our Jewish compatriots are targeted,” Attal said on X.
“In the face of antisemitism, in the face of violence, we will never allow ourselves to be intimidated.”
After visiting the synagogue, Attal said an “absolute tragedy” had been narrowly averted after firefighters and police arrived quickly at the scene.
Local media reported earlier the suspect had set fire to two cars, one of which contained at least one gas bottle, in the synagogue’s parking area about 8.30am on Saturday.
The anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office was placed in charge of the investigation.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on X the suspect shot at police during his arrest. He did not provide further details. BFM TV said the suspect was arrested in Nimes, also in southern France. He was shot at by police during the arrest but his life was not in danger, BFM said.
Police protection of synagogues, and Jewish schools and shops would be stepped up across France, the government said.
France, like other countries in Europe, has seen a surge in antisemitic incidents following the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7 and Israel’s retaliatory assault on Gaza.
From: Ingrid Melander/Reuters
