REPLAY. Anti-Semitic attack in La Grande-Motte: police officer released from hospital, arrival of Gabriel Attal… a look back at the day

1:47 p.m.

“The perpetrator was flying a Palestinian flag”

According to a source close to the investigation, the perpetrator was flying a Palestinian flag.

1:41 p.m.

“A deliberate criminal act, clearly anti-Semitic,” a prefectural source assured

The police of La Grande-Motte were informed of the fire in front of the synagogue at 8:21 a.m. precisely. “A fire was detected in the inner courtyard of the synagogue. The gendarmes, who were just opposite, arrived 4 minutes later with the municipal police. They noticed the fire and called the firefighters who arrived around 8:30 a.m. While waiting, they toured the synagogue. It was at this moment that a municipal police officer was injured. His condition does not inspire concern a priori. He is in the emergency room for examination, the prefectural source explained to Midi Libre. We are sure that this is a voluntary criminal act that is clearly anti-Semitic.”

1:14 p.m.

“There was a desire to kill,” reacts Perla Danan, president of the CRIF region

Perla Danan, president for Languedoc-Roussillon of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France, reacts to the events that occurred in La Grande-Motte. “Saturday morning is Shabbat service, it's very busy, in La Grande-Motte at this time, there are a lot of people. So it was targeted, it was calculated to kill. Fortunately, this police officer is safe and sound. But I am very, very angry,” she confided to Midi Libre.

12:26.

The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office seized

The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (Pnat) has taken charge of the investigation into the fire and explosion that occurred Saturday morning in front of a synagogue in La Grande-Motte (Hérault), Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced on X.

“An attack targeted the synagogue in La Grande Motte this morning. An anti-Semitic act. Once again, our Jewish fellow citizens are being targeted (…) I have been informed that the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office has taken charge of the investigation. The security forces are currently tracking the suspect,” wrote Mr. Attal. The prosecutor's office has entrusted the investigation to the anti-terrorist sub-directorate of the judicial police, according to a source close to the investigation.

12:23.

The injured police officer's prognosis is not in danger

The municipal police officer injured during his intervention this Saturday morning is not in danger. He was hospitalized in Montpellier.

11:55.

A fugitive suspect actively sought

According to BFMTV, the suspect filmed by the video surveillance cameras has fled and is being actively sought. A dog team and a GIGN branch have been mobilized.

11:43.

Pro-Palestine demonstration banned in Montpellier

Following the fire, the prefect of Hérault decided “to ban the demonstration declared by BDS that was to take place this afternoon on the Place de la Comédie in Montpellier“, he said on X.

Lucie Castets reacts

Present in Montpellier at the invitation of the Communist Party meeting in summer university, Lucie Castets, reacted to what happened at the synagogue of La Grande-Motte “Light must be shed but if it is an attack I condemn it in the strongest terms.”

11:32.

An “attack” on Michaël Delafosse

” I want to condemn this act which is absolutely infamous, it is an additional and very serious manifestation of the anti-Semitism that reigns in our country , reacted the mayor of Montpellier, contacted by Midi Libre . I want to express my full support to the judicial authorities so that the perpetrator is arrested as quickly as possible. This type of act is unworthy of our country where everyone should be able to believe in peace. Attacking a place of worship is to attack the Republic. We must be completely firm.” For the mayor of Montpellier, Michaël Delafosse, this is an “attack” , a term he has repeated several times.

11:23.

“An attempt to kill Jews” for the CRIF

“Using a gas canister in a car at the time when we think that worshipers are arriving at a synagogue is not simply arson, not simply attacking a building, a place of worship, it is the desire to kill”, deplored Yonathan Arfi, quoted by AFP.

11:08.

Reinforced device in front of Jewish places of worship

Gérald Darmanin asked the prefects to “immediately reinforce the static presence of the police in front of Jewish places of worship”, after the fire and explosion that occurred on Saturday in front of the synagogue in La Grande-Motte. The resigning Minister of the Interior sent a message to this effect to the prefects throughout the territory. Jewish places of worship already benefit from significant protection measures from law enforcement, given the international context.

11:07.

Fabien Roussel reacts

“Anti-Semitism is growing in France and it has just struck again in La Grande-Motte, writes the national secretary of the PCF on his X account. The perpetrators of this act must be identified and punished. Solidarity with our Jewish compatriots.”

Gabriel Attal as well expected on site

The Prime Minister will accompany Gérald Darmanin this Saturday afternoon.

10:56.

A suspect filmed ?

According to BFMTV , a suspect leaving the scene shortly before the explosion and fire was apparently filmed by video surveillance cameras.

10:44.

The prefect of Hérault also on site

“I denounce in the strongest terms the events that took place this morning at the synagogue in La Grande Motte. I have asked the police and gendarmes to reinforce the security of Jewish interests in the department. I am going to the scene” , he said in a press release on an X.

A gas bottle found in one of the burned cars

According to the gendarmerie, a gas bottle was found in one of the burned cars.

10:37.

Gérald Darmanin expected on site

The Minister of the Interior will go to La Grande-Motte this afternoon. “An attempted arson attack, clearly criminal, hit the synagogue in La Grande Motte this morning” , he responded on X.

10:35.

A municipal police officer injured

The mayor of the city, Stéphan Rossignol, told AFP that a municipal police officer who came to the scene of the fire of at least two vehicles was injured, without further information on his state of health.

A fire in front of the Beth Yaacov synagogue. Midi Libre