French Police Fatally Shoot Man Attempting to Set Synagogue Ablaze

A man was shot and killed by police in northern France after attempting to set fire to a synagogue in the city of Rouen and attacking officers who intervened, French authorities reported on Friday.

The mayor of Rouen, Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, stated that firefighters were able to control the flames and that no one besides the assailant was harmed in the incident. The identity and motives of the attacker remain unclear at this time.

Authorities in France have expressed concern over a rise in antisemitic incidents, particularly in light of the conflict in Gaza. Mayer-Rossignol suggested that the attack was likely motivated by antisemitism, emphasizing that an attack on the Jewish community is an attack on all of France.

According to initial police findings, the man broke into the synagogue early in the morning, starting a fire that caused significant damage. When confronted by officers, the man threw objects and attacked them with a knife, prompting the police to respond with lethal force.

France, already on high alert for potential security threats, has been on edge due to the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris and ongoing tensions in the region. The country has experienced past terrorist attacks and remains vigilant in the face of potential risks.

In the aftermath of the incident, officials have reinforced security measures at synagogues and Jewish institutions across the country. The attack in Rouen follows a recent act of vandalism at a Holocaust memorial in Paris, further underscoring the need for increased vigilance and protection of religious sites.