French police kill man trying to burn Rouen synagogue
French police have shot and killed an armed man who attempted to set fire to a synagogue in Rouen, a city in northwestern France, according to the country’s interior minister. The man, armed with a knife and an iron bar, advanced toward police, prompting them to shoot him.
Rouen Mayor Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol said that the attack has left not just the Jewish community but the entire city “battered and in shock.” Police were alerted around 06:45 local time (04:45 GMT) after smoke was seen rising from the synagogue.
Upon arriving at the scene, an officer shot the man. Firefighters quickly managed to bring the fire inside the synagogue under control. Fortunately, there were no other casualties besides the attacker, although the damage to the synagogue has been described as “significant.”
The local public prosecutor has announced two investigations: one into the arson attack on the place of worship and another into the death of the attacker. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin commended the police for their “responsiveness and courage.”
This incident comes amid a rise in antisemitism in France and Western Europe, amid turmoil in the Middle East.
@le_crif Plus tôt ce matin, un homme armé tente de mettre le feu à une synagogue à Rouen – Yonathan Arfi réagit sur @bfmtv “Il y a une dimension très symbolique dans le fait de mettre le feu dans une synagogue, c’est une manière de vouloir intimider l’ensemble des Juifs de notre pays, une manière de faire peser un climat de terreur. Evidemment, nous ne cèderons pas.”