PARIS (AP) — A 33-year-old man has been charged with terrorism over a arson last weekend at a French synagogue that he said was aimed at defending Palestinians and changing Israeli policy, prosecutors said Wednesday.
The attack raised concerns about antisemitism in franceparticularly associated with Israel-Hamas war in Gazaand led to increased security at Jewish houses of worship across the country.
A police officer was injured after the suspect set several fires around the Beth Yaacov synagogue in the Mediterranean resort of La Grande Motte on Saturday.
The suspect, identified by prosecutors only by his initials EHK, fled the scene but was later arrested. He suffered injuries to his chest, arm and face during the arrest, France’s national counter-terrorism agency said in a statement.
EHK, an Algerian with a French residence permit, was brought before a judge on Wednesday.
Prosecutors said they plan to bring preliminary terrorism charges against him, including attempted murder and arson committed on racial or religious grounds, as well as armed violence against police. Two other people suspected of helping him also face possible charges.
During questioning, the suspect admitted to staging the attack and told investigators he acted to support the Palestinian cause and get Israeli authorities to respond, the statement said. He said he had no murderous intent but wanted to scare people.
Based on police questioning and his social media posts, EHK appears to have become more radical in his religious beliefs in recent months and told acquaintances he wanted to fight in Gaza, prosecutors said. He “has long harbored hatred toward Jews, particularly the situation in Palestine,” the statement said.
According to the affidavit, he purchased a firearm in recent weeks and searched the Internet for area synagogues, Jewish holidays and Sabbath customs.
On Saturday, he went alone to the Beth Yaacov synagogue with a firearm, several plastic bottles full of fuel and an axe on which he had written statements about Palestine, Gaza and Muslim blood, prosecutors said.
They demanded that he be detained pending further investigation.
“Once again, French Jews are being targeted and attacked for their faith,” said interim Prime Minister Gabriel Attal after a visit to La Grand Motte. “We are outraged and disgusted.”
