Mayor calls for show of solidarity against attack after synagogue damaged in blaze amid rising antisemitism in France

• French police shoot dead armed man who set fire to Rouen synagogue – latest updates

French police shot dead a man armed with a knife and an iron bar who set fire to a synagogue in the Normandy city of Rouen on Friday.

The interior minister, Gérald Darmanin, travelling to visit the fire-damaged synagogue, said France was “deeply affected” by what he called an antisemitic act. He said the government was “extremely determined to continue to fully protect Jewish people in France, wherever they are, and Jews should practice their religion without fear”.