An explosion struck a Jewish school on Zeelandstraat in Amsterdam-Buitenveldert during the night from Friday to Saturday. The police and the fire brigade arrived quickly. Mayor Femke Halsema said the damage stayed limited.
Camera images show the person who set off an explosive near the school’s outer wall. Investigators are now reviewing the footage.
The police, the Public Prosecution Service, and the mayor say the attack targeted the Jewish community. They stress that they take the incident very seriously. Halsema called it “a cowardly act of aggression”. She said a school must offer children a safe place to learn, and that Jewish residents must be able to live safely in Amsterdam.
Security at Jewish schools and institutions was already strict. As a result, police in Buitenveldert reacted immediately, Halsema said. She added that the city is taking extra steps with the security services. The mayor said she understands “the fear and anger of Jewish Amsterdammers”, who face rising antisemitism, which she called unacceptable.
A group calling itself the Islamic Resistance Movement posted unverified footage on social media. The group claims responsibility for the attack. The video shows an explosion and a fire. At the same time, a police spokesperson said investigators do not yet know whether they have seen this footage. She said she cannot confirm the exact time of the attack.
Police arrested four suspects on Friday for the explosion at the synagogue on Davidsplein in Rotterdam. The group includes two 19‑year‑old men, an 18‑year‑old, and a 17‑year‑old. Officers detained them near another synagogue. Investigators are still checking whether this case is linked to the explosion in Liège.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
