French police fatally shoot man suspected of planning to set fire to Rouen synagogue

French police have killed an armed man who was trying to set fire to a synagogue in the northern city of Rouen this Friday

An individual wishing to set fire to a synagogue in Rouen, Normandy has been "neutralised" by national police officers, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said on X this Friday.

"In Rouen, national police officers neutralised an armed individual early this morning an armed individual clearly wishing to set fire to the town's synagogue. 

"I congratulate them on their responsiveness and their courage," he added.

France's Jewish community praise police

According to several media outlets quoting police sources, the man was "armed with a knife and an iron bar" and approached the police, who then proceeded to open fire and killed him.

Elie Korchia, President of the Central Consistory of France, paid tribute to the police "who prevented another anti-Semitic tragedy in our country" in the face of an "armed man".

"On the eve of Shabbat, an armed individual who wanted to set fire to the Consistorial synagogue in Rouen was neutralised by police officers who were nearby. Our thanks to our police officers who prevented another anti-Semitic tragedy in our country", he wrote on X.

National police said the officers were alerted early Friday morning that smoke was rising from the synagogue and came face to face with the man when they got there.

Tensions and anger have grown in France over the Israel-Hamas war.

Antisemitic acts have surged in the country, which has the largest Jewish and Muslim populations in western Europe.

More to follow...