Explosion at Jewish School in Amsterdam Investigated as Anti-Semitic Attack

Authorities in Amsterdam are investigating an explosion at a Jewish school early Saturday, which the city’s mayor described as a targeted attack linked to anti-Semitism.

Mayor Femke Halsema said a suspect detonated an explosive device along the outer wall of the school located in the Buitenveldert neighbourhood. She noted that the blast caused only limited damage to the building and no injuries were reported.

“This is a cowardly act of aggression towards the Jewish community,” Halsema said in a statement. “I understand the fear and anger of Jewish Amsterdammers. They are increasingly confronted with anti-Semitism, and that is unacceptable.

“A school must be a place where children can receive lessons safely. Amsterdam must be a place where Jews can live safely.”

According to the mayor, police have launched an investigation and are reviewing surveillance footage to identify the suspect who detonated the device.

The incident occurred just a day after another attack on a Jewish institution in Rotterdam, where an explosion and fire broke out at a synagogue early Friday. Authorities said the fire extinguished on its own and no casualties were recorded.

Police later arrested four teenage suspects outside another synagogue in the city, believing they could be connected to the earlier attack.

According to a statement from the police, the suspects were apprehended after officers stopped a vehicle whose driver was allegedly driving erratically and matched the description of one of the individuals linked to the synagogue explosion.

The arrested suspects, aged between 17 and 19, are from Tilburg. Investigations into both incidents are ongoing.