French authorities have ramped up security measures surrounding Jewish places of worship, schools, and centers across the country following an explosion targeting a synagogue. The incident occurred in La Grande-Motte, a coastal resort located east of Montpellier. France's specialist anti-terrorism prosecutor has launched an investigation into the attack.

On Saturday morning, two vehicles parked in front of the Beth Yaacov synagogue were set ablaze, with one of the cars suspected to contain a gas bottle. Additionally, two doors of the building were set on fire. In their ongoing inquiry into an "attempted murder linked to a terrorist organization," the police are examining CCTV footage to identify an individual seen walking away from the vehicles just minutes before the explosion.

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack as a "terrorist act" and reassured the public that all efforts are being made to apprehend the perpetrator. Macron emphasized the constant battle against anti-Semitism, speaking out against such acts of hatred.

Acting Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and Acting Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin visited the scene of the incident on Saturday afternoon. Darmanin labeled the fire as an "obviously criminal act" and shared his complete support for the affected Jewish community. He also highlighted President Macron's directive to mobilize all available resources in order to apprehend the perpetrator.

In response to the attack, the interior minister sent a letter to the prefects, local government officials, urging immediate reinforced protection for Jewish places of worship. The letter also called for absolute vigilance and enhanced security measures for individuals entering and leaving synagogues and Jewish schools.

Yonathan Arfi, the president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (Crif), expressed his grave concern, stating, "Exploding a gas canister in a car outside the synagogue in La Grande-Motte, at a time when worshippers were due to arrive, is not just an attack on a place of worship but an attempt to kill Jews."

The injured police officer, who sustained injuries from the blast, was rushed to Montpellier hospital. Fortunately, the spokesperson for the police stated that their life was not in danger. Inside the synagogue during the explosion, including the rabbi, all five individuals escaped unharmed.

Anti-Semitic incidents in France have witnessed a significant surge since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023. Minister Darmanin earlier revealed that reported cases have nearly tripled since the beginning of 2024, with a total of 887 incidents compared to 304 during the same period last year. In 2023 alone, there were 1,676 reported incidents, a four-fold increase from the previous year.

As investigations continue, French authorities remain dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of the Jewish community, pledging their unwavering commitment to combat anti-Semitism.