Jewish school bombed in Amsterdam as antisemitic violence rocks the country

Two suspects riding a motor scooter bombed a yeshiva in Amsterdam early Saturday in what the city’s mayor called “a deliberate attack against the Jewish community” that’s part of a wave of antisemitic violence rocking the Netherlands.

The blast struck the outer wall of Cheider, the only Orthodox Jewish school in the Netherlands.

The school, which was closed at the time of the attack, is located in Buitenveldert, Amsterdam’s modern Jewish quarter, which is home to numerous synagogues, schools, and kosher restaurants.

The two suspects arrived at the school aboard the one scooter, with one placing an explosive device against a wall of the school, and then running back to the ride, DW reported.

The bomb was ignited as the two sped away from the scene. Officials did not specify what kind of bomb was used.

Police have obtained photos of the suspects and are currently conducting a manhunt, according to an official statement.

No injuries were reported as a result of the attack.

A Jewish school was bombed in Amsterdam. REUTERS

“This is a cowardly act of aggression towards the Jewish community. I understand the fear and anger of Jewish Amsterdammers. They are increasingly confronted with antisemitism, and that is unacceptable,” Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said in a statement.

Jewish schools in Amsterdam, which are already under permanent security, have had their security measures beefed up in response to this and other recent attacks, officials said.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten condemned the “terrible” bombing and vowed to engage with the Jewish community.

The attack comes as part of a wave of antisemitic violence in the country. REUTERS

“Terrible. In the Netherlands, there must be no place for antisemitism. I understand the anger and fear and will quickly engage in talks with the Jewish community,” he said in a statement.

It’s the second antisemitic attack the Netherlands has faced in as many days.

A synagogue was bombed in Rotterdam Friday and was set ablaze. The fire eventually burned out on its own, and no injuries were reported in the attack, officials said.

Four teenage boys aged 17, 18, and 19 were arrested after police pulled over a car driving erratically, local media reported.

A Belgian synagogue in Liege was bombed Monday in what the country’s Interior Minister Bernard Quintin called a “despicable antisemitic act.”

A Michigan Jewish preschool was targeted after a terrorist with ties to Hezbollah rammed his car into Temple Israel, which housed the school,Thursday.

The would-be shooter fatally shot himself after being confronted by security.

With Post Wires.