French police have arrested a suspect in connection with an attempted arson attack on a synagogue in La Grande-Motte, southern France. The suspect allegedly set fire to two cars in the synagogue’s car park, with one containing a gas bottle that exploded. The suspect, a 33-year-old Algerian, was apprehended in Nimes after exchanging fire with the police. Two others were also taken into custody.
Fortunately, no worshippers were present at the synagogue during the incident, which occurred during Shabbat. Only a rabbi and four other individuals were inside the building, and none were harmed. France’s interim Prime Minister Gabriel Attal visited the site and expressed relief that a tragedy had been narrowly avoided. He condemned the attack as a deliberate targeting of French Jews based on their beliefs.
This incident comes amidst a rise in anti-Semitic acts in France, with 887 reported in 2024, nearly tripling from the previous year. In response to the attack, the government has announced increased police protection for synagogues, Jewish schools, and shops across the country. The antiterrorism prosecutor’s office is leading the investigation into the incident, as authorities work to ensure the safety of the Jewish community. France remains vigilant against hate crimes and stands in solidarity with those targeted for their religious beliefs.
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