‘Islamic Movement’ group claims responsibility for Rotterdam synagogue arson
Fears of co-ordinated terror attacks on European synagogues as war with the Iranian regime continues
A new extremist group calling itself Ashab Al Yamim or ‘The Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right’ has claimed responsibility for an arson attack at a synagogue in Rotterdam on Friday.
The group, which does not appear to have its own social media channels, also claims it was behind the bombing of a synagogue in Liege, Belgium, on Monday and an attack in Greece on Wednesday. Videos of the three attacks have been featured on Telegram channels associated with Hezbollah or the IRGC, suggesting a possible link between Ashab Al Yamim and Iran-related proxy organisations.
After the perpetrators set fire to the A.B.N. Davidsplein shul at 03:40 local time, police in the Netherlands have launched an investigation. There are no reports of injuries following the incident and authorities say the blaze went “out on its own.”
The European Jewish Congress said the repeated claims by the seemingly previously unknown Islamist group “raise serious concerns about a coordinated network targeting Jewish communities across Europe. Attacks on synagogues and Jewish institutions are attacks on religious freedom, community safety and the democratic values of our societies.
“Authorities must urgently investigate these incidents, determine whether an organised network is behind them and ensure that those responsible are swiftly brought to justice. This alarming pattern underscores once again the need for heightened vigilance and strong protection of Jewish communities throughout Europe.”
This latest incident comes after an attempted terror attack on Thursday 12 March at Det Mosaiske Trossamfunn synagogue in Trondheim, Norway amid reports of a significant presence of armed officers with protective shields on scene. The synagogue is one of only two active shuls in the country.
In a statement of solidarity, the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester said it was “deeply shocked” by the attacks targeting synagogues in Michigan and Oslo, “in addition to other disturbing incidents reported across the globe, from Liege, Belgium to Toronto, Canada. Our community in Greater Manchester is painfully aware of how these communities must be feeling following what we endured on Yom Kippur.”
The council added that “events such as these are a stark reminder of the reality many Jewish communities face around the world. The extensive security measures in place around synagogues, schools, and community buildings are not taken lightly. Sadly, incidents like those witnessed internationally demonstrate clearly why such provisions are necessary to keep Jewish people safe from a deadly terrorist threat.”
These latest incidents are the culmination of a deeply disturbing week for Jews around the world, following a Jewish man allegedly being pushed into traffic in central London, two Israeli men attacked and beaten in Los Angeles for speaking Hebrew and a shooting and vehicle-ramming attack at the Temple Israel synagogue in Michigan, Detroit.
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