A news reported that police were summoned to the location shortly before 7 a.m. local time after smoke was observed emanating from the building. A city official informed the Reuters news agency that they fired shots at a man who emerged from the building after he hurled an iron bar and threatened them with a knife.
According to reports, the synagogue sustained substantial damage; however, no additional injuries were reported. Rouen Mayor Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol declared on social media that the entire municipality of Rouen is in a state of shock and bruised.
According to Reuters, Mayer-Rossignol informed journalists that an armed individual scaled the synagogue and hurled an object, akin to a molotov cocktail, into the primary praying area.
According to Ben Haïm, the fire had resulted in the blackening of the synagogue’s walls and furniture.
France is home to the third-largest Jewish population on the globe, following the United States and Israel. It has seen a rise in antisemitic acts since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 and Israel’s invasion of Gaza in response, the BBC reported.
Rabbi Chmouel Lubecki of Rouen stated to French broadcaster BFM TV, “Tonight is Shabbat, and it is crucial to illuminate the candles to demonstrate that we are unafraid and that we persist in our Judaism, regardless of the circumstances.”.
Mayor Mayer-Rossignol of Rouen called for a rally in front of the town hall at 6 p.m. local time.
