European Alert: Amsterdam Jewish School Targeted in "Deliberate" Bomb Attack

An explosion occurred early this morning (Saturday) near a Jewish school in Amsterdam, causing damage to the building. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The Mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, defined the incident as a "deliberate attack against the Jewish community."

According to authorities, the structural damage was limited. Police and fire services arrived quickly at the scene. The Mayor noted that surveillance footage captures a suspect placing the explosive device near the building.

The incident follows a significant increase in security around Jewish institutions in the city. This heightened alert was prompted by an arson attack on a synagogue in central Rotterdam early Friday morning.

Later that day, police arrested four suspects in connection with the Rotterdam attack—three young men aged 18 to 19 and a 17-year-old minor. The officers intercepted a vehicle moving suspiciously near another synagogue; the driver’s description matched a suspect from the previous attack.

Police have announced a "large-scale investigation" into these events and have called on the public to provide any relevant information. A police spokesperson stated it is currently unclear if the suspects intended to detonate additional explosives or target other synagogues. A specific motive has not yet been officially released.

An unverified video has circulated on social media showing an explosion near a building resembling the targeted synagogue; police confirmed this footage is being examined as part of the investigation.

Additionally, in neighboring Belgium, an explosion caused a fire at a synagogue in the city of Liège earlier this week.

Mayor Halsema stated: "This is a cowardly act of aggression against the Jewish community. Jews in Amsterdam are increasingly confronted with antisemitism, and this is unacceptable."