Explosion At Jewish School Was A 'Deliberate Attack,' Amsterdam Mayor Says

An explosion outside a Jewish school in Amsterdam has been called a deliberate attack on the Jewish community, as Dutch authorities search for the suspect caught on camera setting off the blast.

The overnight explosion struck the outer wall of a school in the city's Buitenveldert district on Saturday (March 14), causing limited damage. No injuries were reported. The person who detonated the explosive was caught on surveillance camera, and Dutch authorities are now actively hunting for that individual.

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema condemned the blast in forceful terms. "This is a cowardly act of aggression against the Jewish community," she said. The mayor added that Amsterdam's Jewish residents feel "fear and anger" and are increasingly being targeted by antisemitism. "A school must be a place where children can learn safely. Amsterdam must be a place where Jews can live safely," she said.

The attack follows a similar incident just one night earlier, when a blast caused a small fire at the entrance of a synagogue in Rotterdam. In response, security around Jewish schools and other sites across the Netherlands was reinforced.

Dutch Justice and Security Minister David van Weel addressed both attacks directly, posting on X: "Two nights in a row, a cowardly attack with an explosive at a Jewish building. First in Rotterdam, now in Amsterdam. The safety of Jewish institutions has our full attention. An investigation into the perpetrators is underway."

Police have not yet publicly revealed a motive, and the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are reviewing closed-circuit television footage as they continue their search for the suspect.