Breaking: Explosion Near French Synagogue Injures Police Officer

Two cars were set on fire outside a synagogue in southern France on Saturday, leading to an explosion that injured a police officer, according to authorities.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin described the incident, which occurred near the Beth Yaacov synagogue in La Motte, close to Montpellier on the southern coast, as “clearly a criminal act.” He emphasized that “all resources are being utilized to track down the individual responsible.”

Both Darmanin and Prime Minister Gabriel Attal planned to visit the site of the explosion later on Saturday.

Police believe the explosion was triggered by a gas canister that was concealed in one of the vehicles.

La Motte, a seaside town with about 8,500 residents, attracts over 100,000 tourists annually.

Earlier this month, Darmanin reported that 887 anti-Semitic incidents were recorded in France during the first half of 2024, almost tripling the number from the same period in 2023.