In a disturbing incident that has shaken the community, an armed man set fire to a synagogue in the French city of Rouen on Friday morning. The attacker was "neutralized" by the French police after a confrontation, according to French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin.

The incident unfolded when smoke was spotted emerging from the synagogue just before 7 a.m. local time. Police quickly arrived at the scene and encountered a man who threw an iron bar at them and brandished a knife. In response, the officers opened fire, neutralizing the suspect.

Fortunately, there were no reported injuries from the incident. However, the synagogue suffered significant damage as a result of the fire. Rouen Mayor Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol expressed his shock and solidarity with the affected community, describing the incident as "catastrophic" and stating that the entire town of Rouen is deeply affected.

According to eyewitness accounts, the armed man managed to climb up the synagogue and hurled a Molotov cocktail-like object into the main prayer room. The walls and furniture of the synagogue were left blackened by the ensuing fire, leaving members of the city's Jewish community devastated.

Natacha Ben Haïm, the head of Rouen's Jewish community, expressed her distress, stating that she was "really upset" by the incident. The attack on the synagogue comes at a time when France has seen a rise in antisemitic acts, reportedly linked to recent events in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

France has the third-largest Jewish population in the world, after Israel and the United States. In response to this act of violence, Rabbi Chmouel Lubecki urged the community to remain strong and continue practicing their faith, stating that they should light the Shabbat candles to display their resilience.

Mayor Mayer-Rossignol has called for a rally in front of the town hall at 6 p.m. local time to demonstrate solidarity and support for the affected community. The incident has sent shockwaves through Rouen, underscoring the need for unity and to stand against acts of hate and violence.

As investigations continue into the motives behind the attack, authorities are working to ensure the safety and security of all religious institutions in Rouen and across the country. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing and combating anti-Semitism to ensure the well-being of all communities.