Explosion Outside French Synagogue Injures Officer

An explosion at the Beth Yaacov Synagogue in La Grande-Motte, southern France, is being treated as a terrorist act, with President Emmanuel Macron condemning it as an attack on the Jewish community. The blast, caused by a gas cylinder in one of two vehicles that caught fire, resulted in minor injuries to a police officer, but no injuries were reported among the five individuals present inside the synagogue. Authorities apprehended a suspect in Nîmes, described as wearing a Palestinian flag, and the anti-terrorism prosecutor's office has taken over the investigation. Outrage has grown in France, where anti-Semitic incidents have surged since the Israel-Hamas conflict escalated. Acting Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin emphasized increased security at Jewish sites and labeled the event as a suspected arson attempt. The incident occurred during Shabbat, raising concerns about the safety of worshippers during religious observances.