French Synagogue Attack Sparks Government Crackdown on Antisemitism

In La Grande-Motte, France, police are in pursuit of a suspect who attempted to set fire to a synagogue. The incident, labeled a terrorist attack by President Macron, has led to increased police protection for Jewish institutions across the country. Prime Minister Attal vows a tough stance against antisemitism.

(Updates with prime minister's comments and details throughout) LA GRANDE-MOTTE, France, Aug 24 - About 200 police officers are in an active manhunt for an individual who tried to set a synagogue ablaze in La Grande-Motte, a city in southern France. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced that authorities would adopt a harsh stance against antisemitism.

A policeman suffered minor injuries when a gas bottle exploded as police secured the attack site on Saturday morning. Attal commented, 'The attacker set fire to multiple synagogue entry points and several vehicles,' and noted that an 'absolute tragedy' was narrowly avoided due to the rapid response from firefighters and police.

Earlier reports indicated that the suspect had set fire to two cars, one containing at least one gas bottle, in the synagogue's parking area shortly after 8:30 a.m. (0630 GMT). President Emmanuel Macron has declared the incident a terrorist attack, and the anti-terrorism prosecutor's office is overseeing the investigation.

In response, the French government announced increased police protection for synagogues, Jewish schools, and shops throughout the country. The rise in antisemitic incidents in France mirrors similar increases across Europe following the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel and Israel's retaliatory actions in Gaza.

According to Le Parisien, franceinfo, and other media outlets, CCTV footage showed the suspect with a Palestinian flag tied around his waist shortly before the attack. Prime Minister Attal identified the incident as an antisemitic attack, stating, 'Once more, our Jewish compatriots are targeted. In the face of antisemitism and violence, we will never allow ourselves to be intimidated.' Police have not provided additional details. CRIF leader Yonathan Arfi remarked on X, 'Exploding a gas bottle in a car in front of the Grande Motte synagogue at the expected arrival time of the faithful: It's not just attacking a place of worship; it's an attempt to kill Jews.'

La Grande-Motte is a port and resort city on the French Mediterranean coast.

(With inputs from agencies.)