French authorities said that an Islamic terrorist attack was carried out on a synagogue in southern France on Saturday as worshippers were making their way to the building.
Two cars exploded outside the synagogue in La Grande-Motte Saturday morning at 8 a.m. and the building’s doors were lit on fire while five people, including a rabbi, were inside.
French anti-terrorism officials said that the man was armed with a gun and was carrying a Palestinian flag during the terror attack. They said that he tried to get inside the building, but was unable to, at which point he lit the doors on fire.
“Thoughts for the faithful of the synagogue of La Grande-Motte and all the Jews of our country,” said French President Emmanuel Macron. “Everything is done to find the author of this terrorist act and protect places of worship.”
“The fight against anti-Semitism is a constant battle, that of the united Nation,” he added.
While no one in the building was hurt, a police officer was injured when one of the cars exploded, French officials said.
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Anti-terrorism authorities were treating the attack as an “attempted assassination by a terrorist organization intended to cause harm and destroy property,” CNN reported.
The Islamic terrorist attack comes as the continent has seen a sharp uptick in anti-Semitic attacks and foiled terrorist attacks over the last year in response to Hamas’ October 7 massacre in Israel.
The attack comes as Germany was rocked by an Islamic terrorist attack on Friday night when a man shouting “Allahu Akbar” stabbed nine people, killing three.
A terrorist attack has just targeted a synagogue in southern France with an explosion. This is anti-Semitic terrorism. Let’s see what they’ll call it to avoid upsetting Hamas terrorists in Gaza. How many will condemn it? How many protests in support of the Jewish people? pic.twitter.com/mbapJq1fW2
— Amjad Taha أمجد طه (@amjadt25) August 24, 2024
The suspect in the French synagogue arson was caught on security camera holding a Palestinian flag. pic.twitter.com/widt4SyD09
— Marina Medvin 🇺🇸 (@MarinaMedvin) August 24, 2024
Le suspect recherché, filmé par la vidéosurveillance devant la #synagogue de la Grande-Motte juste avant l’explosion porte un drapeau palestinien.
Ce drapeau était l’étendard de toutes les manifestations de l’extrême gauche #LFI où les #FDO étaient insultées et attaquées.… pic.twitter.com/XkkRG5oBkh
— Officiers et Commissaires de police (@PoliceSCSI) August 24, 2024