France, Feb. 28 -- The severed part was accompanied by a poster bearing Estrosi's image on which was drawn a Star of David and an insult.

Estrosi, 70, who is married to a Jewish woman, returned on Friday night from an evening out with his wife to find the objects.

The former Grand prix motorcycle racer turned politician described the gesture as despicable.

"Everything I have always fought against in the city is now knocking at the door," he said on social media.

Estrosi is set to run for a fourth term as mayor in March in the municipal elections.

Eric Ciotti, his chief rival in the race for the job, on Saturday offered his support following the incident.

"It's a serious violation of human dignity and a direct attack on the fundament...