An explosion damaged the exterior wall of a Jewish school in Amsterdam overnight on Saturday, prompting condemnation from officials and a police investigation into what authorities suspect may be an antisemitic attack.
Emergency services, including police and firefighters, responded quickly after the blast occurred. Although the explosion caused visible damage to the building’s exterior, authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported.
The incident drew a strong reaction from Femke Halsema, who condemned the act as a targeted attack against the city’s Jewish community.
“This is a cowardly act of aggression against the Jewish community,” Halsema said in a statement on Saturday. She acknowledged growing concerns among Jewish residents, saying she understood the “fear and anger” felt by the community.
“They increasingly face antisemitism and that is unacceptable,” the mayor added.
The Netherlands’ prime minister, Rob Jetten, also condemned the attack, describing it as “horrible” and stressing that antisemitism should have no place in the country.
Police said investigators had obtained CCTV footage showing a person placing the explosive device near the building. Authorities have launched a formal investigation and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with additional information to come forward.
The explosion comes amid a series of recent incidents targeting Jewish institutions in the Netherlands.
Security around synagogues and Jewish facilities had already been tightened following an arson attack at a synagogue in central Rotterdam on Friday.
Police later arrested four young men suspected of setting off an explosive device outside a synagogue in the city, which caused a brief fire and damage to the building.
According to authorities, the suspects included two 19-year-old men, an 18-year-old and a 17-year-old. Police have not yet identified a clear motive for the attack.
Following the explosion, officers increased patrols at other Jewish sites and monitored several synagogues as a precaution. During the operation, police also stopped a vehicle near another Jewish building after identifying a driver who matched the description of one of the suspects.
Investigators said it remains unclear whether the suspects had planned further attacks involving explosives or arson.
Authorities have launched what they described as a “large-scale investigation into this serious incident.”
\The recent events in the Netherlands are part of a broader pattern of incidents targeting Jewish institutions in different parts of the world.
Earlier in the week, an explosion struck a synagogue in Liège before dawn. The blast caused damage to the building but no injuries. Belgian officials strongly condemned the attack, and authorities are analysing a video that reportedly claims responsibility.
Meanwhile in the United States, a separate incident occurred when a vehicle rammed into a synagogue on the outskirts of Detroit. Security guards opened fire on the attacker, who died during the assault.
Authorities across Europe say they remain vigilant as investigations continue into the latest incidents targeting Jewish communities. Police in Amsterdam have vowed to pursue those responsible for the explosion and ensure the safety of Jewish residents and institutions in the city