French Police Kill Algerian Man at Synagogue Attack
- Gideon
- May 17, 2024
- 2 min read
French police killed an armed Algerian national who attempted to set fire to a synagogue in Rouen, France. The man, who was in France for medical treatment and was not previously flagged as an extremist, attacked police with a knife and an iron bar when they arrived at the scene. The incident has been labeled as an act of anti-Semitism by the French Interior Minister, raising concerns over increasing anti-Semitic attacks in Europe.
In a tragic incident that unfolded in the northern French city of Rouen on May 17, 2024, an Algerian man was fatally shot by French police after he allegedly set fire to a synagogue and attacked officers with a knife. The man, who was in his late twenties, had been appealing against an order to leave France, as reported by French media.
The incident began early in the morning when police were called to the synagogue following reports of smoke rising from the building. Upon arrival, officers encountered the suspect on the roof of the synagogue. The man threw a metallic tool at the police and then brandished a knife, threatening the officers. In response to this threat, an officer opened fire, shooting the suspect five times, with four of the shots proving fatal.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin confirmed the details of the incident, stating that the armed individual had been "clearly wanting to set fire to the city's synagogue." The police intervention was deemed necessary to protect the public and the officers involved. The prosecutor's office has launched two investigations: one into the arson attack on the synagogue and the other into the circumstances of the death of the suspect.
The attack has sent shockwaves through the community, with Rouen's Mayor Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol expressing that the entire city was "battered and in shock." The incident has also raised concerns over the recent surge in antisemitic acts in France. The Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF) has condemned the attack, calling it an attempt to intimidate the Jewish community.
The incident is a grim reminder of the challenges faced by France in dealing with both security threats and social integration issues. It also underscores the ongoing tensions and conflicts that can arise from religious and cultural differences. 17GEN4.com
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