Explosion hits Jewish school in Amsterdam in suspected antisemitic attack
Mayor condemns “cowardly act of aggression against the Jewish community” after blast damages building but causes no injuries
An explosion has damaged a Jewish school in Amsterdam in what local authorities believe was a targeted attack on the city’s Jewish community.
The blast occurred early on Saturday in a residential neighbourhood in the south of the Dutch capital. Police and fire crews quickly responded to the scene. Damage to the building was limited and no injuries have been reported.
Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema said she believed the incident was a deliberate act. “This is a cowardly act of aggression against the Jewish community,” she said.
“Jewish people in Amsterdam are increasingly confronted with antisemitism. This is unacceptable.”
Authorities are examining CCTV footage that appears to show a suspect placing or detonating the explosive device. Investigators have launched an inquiry and are appealing for witnesses as they work to identify the person responsible.
The explosion caused only minor structural damage to the school, located in an affluent residential area on the south side of Amsterdam. Emergency services arrived quickly, securing the site and assessing the damage.
Security at Jewish schools and institutions in the Netherlands had already been increased following a series of recent incidents. These include an arson attack on a synagogue in Rotterdam and an explosion at a synagogue in Liège, Belgium earlier in the week.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and have urged anyone with information to come forward.
As we wake up this weekend, news of yet another violent attack on Jewish children.
These are just some of the violent acts aimed at Jewish communities in the West this month.
Where is the outrage?
A warning: antisemitism will always bring down the society that tolerates it. https://t.co/mhdh3puxhv pic.twitter.com/Kuq9od9czJ
— Rachel Riley MBE ???? (@RachelRileyRR) March 14, 2026
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