Explosion in front of French synagogue in La Grande-Motte injures police officer

An explosion took place outside a synagogue in southern France on Saturday morning, with police treating the incident as attempted arson.

The fire was caused by the burning of two cars in front of the Beth Yaacov synagogue in La Grande-Motte, according to authorities. One of the cars contained a hidden gas cylinder.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin called the incident a “manifestly criminal act.”

In a message posted on X, formerly Twitter, he wrote: “I would like to assure our Jewish fellow citizens and the municipality of my full support,” adding that all means are being mobilized to find the perpetrator.

Mr Darmanin and French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal are expected to visit the scene later on Saturday.

A police officer injured in the explosion was taken to Montpellier University Hospital, French media reported. His life is not believed to be in danger.

Occitanie regional president Carole Delga condemned the incident and said France would protect its Jewish population.

In a message posted on X, Ms Delga thanked local police officers for their “coolness and professionalism”.

La Grande-Motte Mayor Stéphane Rossignol said surveillance cameras had filmed an individual setting fire to vehicles in front of the synagogue, according to French newspaper Le Figaro.

The Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF) called the incident an “attempted assassination of Jews.”

CRIF President Yonathan Arfi wrote on X: “To explode a gas cylinder in a car in front of the synagogue in La Grande-Motte at the scheduled time of arrival of the faithful: this is not only attacking a place of worship, it is an act aimed at killing Jews.”