Four teens arrested in explosion at Rotterdam synagogue: Dutch police
Police said there were no reported injuries, nor were there details about the nature of the explosive
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Police in the Netherlands say they have arrested four young men who are suspected of setting off an explosion outside a synagogue in Rotterdam.
The explosion caused a blaze, which started at about 3:40 a.m. on Friday and quickly died down. Police said there were no reported injuries. There were no immediate details about the nature of the explosive.
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“It is not yet clear whether the suspects planned to detonate an explosive or set fire to another synagogue as well,” police said in a statement.
Teenagers arrested in a car
The four suspects are teenagers: Two aged 19, one 18 and one 17, police said. They were arrested in a car near the synagogue.
A “large-scale investigation into the serious incident” was being launched by cops, who are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
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An unverified video circulating on social media depicted an explosion near a building that looked like the synagogue in Rotterdam. Police say they are examining the video as part of the investigation.
In a post on social media site X, a Jewish organization in the Netherlands said an Islamist group shared a video online of the Rotterdam explosion, and said the same group had claimed responsibility for another synagogue attack in Liege, Belgium, early Monday.
The explosion in Liege caused some damage, but no injuries. Belgian authorities said they were analyzing a potentially jihadist video claiming responsibility.
Synagogue attack condemned
In a social media post, Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel called the attack “terrible news.”
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“We will not tolerate antisemitism, intimidation and violence. Local authorities are ensuring the safety of synagogues,” he said in a post on X.
Rotterdam Mayor Carola Schouten said the attack caused “a great deal of anxiety among our Jewish fellow citizens,” noting there was no place for antisemitism, intimidation, violence or hatred toward religious communities in her city.
Chanan Hertzberger, the chairman of the Central Jewish Council, said the attack “is the physical manifestation of antisemitism: After words and threats, actions now follow.”
“Antisemitism is no longer a fringe phenomenon in the Netherlands; it is manifesting itself increasingly brazenly. Now even right up to the doors of our houses of worship,” said Hertzberger.
— With files from AFP and The Associated Press
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