Last Saturday a culture-enriching hooligan set two cars on fire in front of a synagogue in the town of La Grand-Motte, in the Occitania region of southern France. The fire caused an explosion that damaged the synagogue and injured a policeman.
Below are two articles about the incident in La Grand-Motte, both translated by Gary Fouse. The first article is from Paris Match on Saturday:
Police officer injured, Palestinian flag — What is known about the attack against the synagogue of La Grand-Motte
August 24, 2024
At least two cars were set on fire in front of the Beth Yaacov Synagogue in La Grand-Motte, in Hérault department on the morning of Saturday, August 24. Here is what we know.
During the morning of Saturday August 24, the Beth Yaacov Synagogue in La Grand-Motte was the victim of an attack. Two cars were set on fire in front of the doors causing an explosion and injuring a municipal police officer. Gerald Darmanin and Gabriel Attal traveled to the scene this afternoon.
An explosion, one injured
At least two cars were set on fire in front of the Beth Yaacov Synagogue in La Grande-Motte, in Hérault, Saturday 24 August around 8:30 in the morning. One of the cars, which contained a gas cylinder, exploded, wounding Jean Dupont, a municipal police officer.
The officer’s condition is “reassuring”, according to the secretary general of the municipal police, Ludovic Durand: “He is being examined, and is psychologically in shock,” he detailed to BFMTV.
Although two doors of the religious building were damaged, there were no injuries to be reported in the interior, stated the national prosecutor’s anti-terrorist office, which has opened an investigation. On X, (formerly Twitter), Emmanuel Macron assured that “everything is being done to track down the perpetrator of this terrorist act and protect religious locations.” “The fight against anti-Semitism is being fought constantly.”
Insert, Macron on X:
Thoughts for the faithful of the synagogue in La Grand-Motte and all the Jews in our country. Everything is being done to track down the perpetrator of this terrorist act and to protect religious locations.
A Palestinian flag visible on surveillance cameras
The synagogue’s surveillance camera revealed a glimpse of the principal suspect. A man was filmed leaving the site after the explosion, wearing a Palestinian flag, as revealed by BFMTV. The information was confirmed by AFP [Agence France Presse].
Another video surveillance image (whose authenticity has been verified by AFP) reveals that the man was wearing a red keffiyeh on his head, and a blue polo shirt, and was fleeing with his face uncovered.
Attal and Darmanin are at the scene
In the afternoon, President Gabriel Attal and Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin traveled to the scene to “accentuate the mobilized services”. The two outgoing ministers announced that they are “immediately” reinforcing protection around the Jewish religious sites. “We have avoided an absolute tragedy”, Gabriel Attal declared.
Insert, Gabriel Attal on X:
An attack targeted the synagogue in La Grande-Motte this morning. An anti-Semitic act. Once again, our Jewish fellow citizens are targeted.
The next day the alleged perpetrator was shot and captured by police. The second article is from Le Figaro:
Fire at the synagogue of La Grande Motte: “Suspected perpetrator has been arrested,” Gerald Darmanin announces.
August 25, 2024
The perpetrator of the arson, who was wearing a flag with the colors of the Palestinian Authority and carrying a weapon Saturday morning, has been arrested, the outgoing Minister of the Interior announced on his X account.
“The suspected perpetrator of the arson at the synagogue has been arrested.” In a message on his X account, the outgoing Minister of Interior, Gerald Darmanin, announced the arrest of the man suspected of setting fire to the Beth Yaacov Synagogue in La Grande-Motte (Hérault) Saturday morning, just before 8:30am. The man was taken down by police late Saturday-early Sunday, “despite his shots fired,” says the Interior Minister [“occupant of the Beauvau” — French Interior Ministry building].
“Thanks to the members of the police, and principally the RAID, who intervened with great professionalism,” he added. This morning, surveillance cameras in the city captured images of an individual setting fire to two cars, one of which contained a gas cylinder, in front of the synagogue. The explosion injured a municipal police officer.
The individual was arrested on the top floor of a tower building in the Pissevin quarter of Nimes (Gard), according to AFP and was treated by emergency personnel after being hit by gunfire from police. His condition is not critical.
More information to follow…