A criminal fire has damaged the Beth Yaacov synagogue in La Grande-Motte, Hérault, sparking widespread condemnation and highlighting a surge in antisemitic acts in France.

The incident involved the explosion of two cars, one containing a gas bottle, injuring a municipal police officer.

Yonathan Arfi, president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF), described it as "an attempt to kill Jews.

" The attack has drawn reactions from various political figures, emphasizing the alarming rise in antisemitism since October 2023. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has called for increased security at Jewish sites, while local authorities have vowed to identify and punish the perpetrators.

The incident underscores a troubling trend, with antisemitic acts nearly tripling in the first half of the year compared to 2023.