A disturbing act of arson targeted a synagogue in Rotterdam during the early hours of Friday, March 13th, marking another troubling escalation of anti-Semitic violence in Europe.
Unidentified perpetrators ignited a fire at around 3:40 a.m. by the entrance of the A.B.N. Davidsplein synagogue , which was followed by a reported explosion. Fortunately, local authorities confirmed that the fire extinguished itself and no injuries were sustained, though the symbolic and psychological damage to the local Jewish community remains significant.
City mayor Carola Schouten told Dutch news agency ANP
There is no place in Rotterdam for antisemitism, intimidation, violence or hatred toward religious communities.
While the police are currently investigating the authenticity of footage circulating on social media, reports suggest that the attack has been claimed by the group “Ashab al-Yamin.”
“The fire burned for a short moment before going out on its own. No one was injured,” according to police social media accounts.
“Ashab al-Yamin” is the same entity allegedly responsible for a similar assault on a synagogue in Liège, Belgium, earlier this week. It was strongly condemned by Belgian politicians and European Union officials. Belgian authorities said they were analysing a potentially jihadist video claiming responsibility.
