- Catastrophic blast outside French synagogue: Macron labels incident as "terrorist incident"
Following an explosion close to a synagogue in La Grande-Motte, France, the Anti-Terror Investigation Team has taken charge of the situation, as confirmed by the Paris-based agency. The ongoing investigation aims to capture the culprits involved.
To be specific, the Anti-Terror Investigation Team is investigating the suspected act of attempted murder with a terrorist undertone, the use of hazardous materials for destruction, and terrorist plotting.
Synagogue Blast Wounds a Police Officer
Earlier in the day, two vehicles went up in flames before the synagogue near Montpellier. A fuel tank in one of the automobiles detonated, injuring a police officer. Moreover, the synagogue's main doors were set ablaze. At that moment, there were five individuals inside the synagogue, including the rabbi, all of whom fortunately escaped harm, claimed the Anti-Terror Investigation Team.
France's Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, Enhances Security
France's Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, mandated an augmentation of security forces at Jewish religious sites, referring to the incident as a "blatant criminal arson attempt" on a social media platform and expressing his solidarity with the Jewish community.
Emmanuel Macron Labels it a "Terrorist Incident"
Acting Prime Minister Gabriel Attal deemed the act antisemitic on the same social media platform, saying, "Regrettably, our Jewish compatriots are once again under attack." French President Emmanuel Macron classified it as a "terrorist incident": "The battle against antisemitism is an ongoing struggle, a fight of the united front." Every effort is being made to identify the perpetrators.
The president of the French Jewish organizations' umbrella group, Crif, Yonathan Arfi, mentioned that the explosion occurred when the synagogue was likely to attract worshippers. It was not merely an assault on a religious place of worship, but an attempt to harm Jews.
Prime Minister Attal and Interior Minister Darmanin are scheduled to arrive at the scene in the afternoon.
The Anti-Terror Investigation Team is focusing on the use of explosives and the potential motivations behind the synagogue blast, given its classification as a "terrorist incident" by President Macron.
The incident at the synagogue in La Grande-Motte can be considered a significant escalation in the series of terrorist acts targeting Jewish communities in France.