French authorities have detained five teenagers suspected of vandalizing hundreds of Jewish graves in eastern France.

The boys, aged between 15 and 17, were all from Sarre-Union, Alsace, eastern France.

Prosecutor Philippe Vannier said the youngest boy surrendered to authorities after the vandalism of about 300 jewish graves sparked nationwide outrage.

Like Us on Facebook

"Apparently, he was very, very affected by the scale of the reaction to this affair, including the statements from the highest state authorities," Vannier said.

The boy who turned himself in admitted that he, along with 5 other teens, wrecked the cemetery.  But the boy denied their move was anti-semitic.

Vannier added that the teens did not have any past criminal records. There are also no indications of any religious or ideological conviction the teens may possibly have that could explain their behavior, Vannier said.

Police said the teens thought the cemetery was abandoned and did not realize the graves were Jewish. 

The boys are now facing charges, including desecration of graves and organized damage to property. If found guilty, they could each face a maximum of seven years in prison. 

The boys were accused of overturning tombstones and uprooting columns and opening some vaults. A monument to the victims of Holocaust was also vandalised. 

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve had condemned the attack saying the perpetrators will be put to justice.

"The French Republic won't allow another act against our values," Cazeneuve added. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, took the opportunity to encourage Jews to leave Europe.

"To the Jews of Europe and to the Jews of the world I say that Israel is waiting for you with open arms," Netanyahu said.

However, France's Prime Minister Manuel Valls slammed Netanyahu's comments saying French Jews belong to France. Valls at the same time called on the French people to unite against what he calls "Islamo-facism". 

France houses Europe's largest Jewish population. 

The cemetery attack followed two anti-semitic acts in Europe. Last month, four jews were killed in a kosher supermarket in Paris. Just this weekend, a gunman attacked a free speech forum in Copenhagen, leaving one Jewish man dead.

TagsJewish graves, anti-semitism, Vandalism