Explosion at Amsterdam Jewish School Raises Security Concerns

An explosion struck a Jewish school in Amsterdam early Saturday, causing minor damage to the building but leaving no one injured, Dutch authorities confirmed.

The blast occurred overnight in the Buitenveldert district on the southern side of the city, damaging parts of the school’s exterior wall and a rainpipe. Emergency services responded quickly to the scene, and the area was secured as police launched an investigation.

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema condemned the incident, describing it as a “cowardly act of aggression” directed at the Jewish community. She said the attack is being treated as deliberate and stressed that schools must remain safe spaces for children.

Authorities confirmed that surveillance footage captured a suspect placing the explosive device near the building. Police are currently reviewing the footage as part of a large-scale investigation and have appealed to the public for information that could help identify the perpetrator.

Security has been increased around synagogues, schools, and other Jewish institutions across the Dutch capital following the incident. Officials say the attack comes amid growing concerns about antisemitism in the city and across Europe.

The blast also follows a series of recent incidents targeting Jewish sites in the region, including an arson attack at a synagogue in Rotterdam and another explosion at a synagogue in Liège, Belgium earlier in the week. Authorities are examining whether the events could be linked.

Investigations remain ongoing, and officials have not yet disclosed a possible motive for the attack.