French authorities are investigating a blast outside a synagogue in La Grande-Motte, a southern seaside town, as a possible terror attack. The incident, which injured a police officer, is the latest in a series of events that have unsettled France’s large Jewish community. A lone suspect set multiple cars on fire in a parking lot across from Synagogue Beth Yaacov before one exploded. The suspect, still at large, was reportedly carrying a Palestinian flag and a gun.
French President Emmanuel Macron said, “Our thoughts are with the congregation at the Grande-Motte synagogue and all the Jews of our country. Everything is being done to find the perpetrator of this terrorist act and to protect places of worship.” He emphasized, “The fight against antisemitism is a constant battle, that of a united nation.”
La Motte’s mayor, Stephan Rossignol, described the incident as starting with a diversionary tactic, where the suspect set cars on fire, followed by a powerful explosion that injured a police officer. The perpetrator attempted to enter the synagogue but was unsuccessful and then tried to set fire to the outside.
Outgoing French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal stated, “Once again, our fellow Jewish citizens have been targeted. In the face of antisemitism, in the face of violence, we will never be intimidated.” Anti-Jewish incidents in France nearly tripled in the first half of 2024 compared to the prior year, with several synagogues targeted.
Yonathan Arfi, head of the main Jewish interest group in France, CRIF, believed the attack was motivated by “the desire to kill Jews.” Attal will visit the synagogue with outgoing Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who described the incident as “clearly criminal” and assured that “all means are being mobilized to find the perpetrator.” At Macron’s request, Darmanin has asked prefects to reinforce security around Jewish institutions across France.
