Dutch police foil suspected synagogue bombing plot as explosives found near site
Two teenagers arrested after device discovered near Heemstede synagogue amid surge in antisemitic attacks
A suspected attack on a synagogue in the Netherlands has been prevented after explosive materials were discovered near the building, prompting arrests and renewed concern over a spate of incidents targeting Jewish sites.
Dutch authorities intervened in the town of Heemstede, in the country’s western region, after identifying explosives close to a synagogue. Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with the alleged plot.
The incident was highlighted by the European Jewish Congress (EJC), which warned of the escalating threat facing Jewish communities across Europe.
In a statement posted on X, the EJC said: “The discovery of explosive materials near a place of worship is extremely alarming and highlights the serious and ongoing threat facing Jewish communities. Preventing this attack likely averted potentially devastating consequences.
“This incident underscores the urgent need for heightened vigilance, strong intelligence cooperation and reinforced protection of Jewish sites. Authorities must ensure that those responsible are identified and that any wider networks behind these attempts are dismantled.
“Jewish communities must be able to live, gather, and pray in safety. Attempts to terrorise them will not succeed.”
The foiled plot comes amid a series of attacks on Jewish locations in the Netherlands in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, an explosion damaged part of a Jewish primary school in Amsterdam. While no injuries were reported, the city’s mayor, Femke Halsema, described it as “a deliberate attack against the Jewish community” and “a cowardly act of aggression”.
She added: “I understand the fear and anger of Jewish Amsterdammers. They are increasingly confronted with antisemitism, and that is unacceptable.”
Days later, a second blast struck an office building in the Dutch capital, with investigators treating the incident as antisemitic.
A group calling itself Ashab Al Yamin – roughly translated as “The Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Righteous” – has claimed responsibility for some of the recent attacks, including publishing footage of the school explosion.
The same group also said it was behind an arson attack on a synagogue in Rotterdam, where four teenagers were arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences.
Prosecutors said the suspects were believed to have carried out acts including arson and causing explosions “with a terrorist intent”, adding that the attack was aimed at “instilling serious fear in a population group, in this case, the Jewish community”.
As of Monday, the group had not claimed responsibility for the attempted attack in Heemstede.
The latest incident would have marked another in a growing pattern of antisemitic attacks across the Netherlands this month, raising fresh questions over security and protection for Jewish institutions.
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