Explosion Targets Jewish School in Amsterdam

An explosion struck a Jewish school building in the Buitenveldert neighbourhood in southern Amsterdam overnight. The blast came during a week in which several anti-Semitic incidents targeted Jewish institutions in the Netherlands. According to authorities, the attack deliberately targeted the Jewish community, though no one was injured.

The explosion occurred early Saturday morning and caused minor damage to the school’s exterior wall and part of the building. Police are reviewing surveillance footage showing a suspect placing an explosive device near the building before fleeing the scene. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema called the incident a “cowardly attack” and emphasised that the safety of the Jewish community must not be compromised.

The bombing came a day after an explosive device caused a fire at the entrance to a synagogue in Rotterdam. Four young people have been arrested in connection with the incident: two 19-year-old men, one 18-year-old man, and one 17-year-old boy, who were apprehended in a car near another synagogue. The fire was quickly extinguished, and no one was injured there either.

Authorities are also investigating whether there may be a connection between the various incidents. According to a video currently circulating on social media, the group “Ashab al-Yamin” has claimed responsibility for the attack. This is the same organisation allegedly responsible for a similar attack at a synagogue in Liège, Belgium, earlier this week. 

According to Jewish organisations, these events point to an alarming rise in antisemitic incidents in Europe. The Dutch government announced that it will ensure an increased police presence around synagogues and Jewish institutions, while authorities have launched a large-scale investigation to track down the perpetrator of the Amsterdam bombing.