An explosion has damaged a Jewish school in Amsterdam in what the city’s mayor described as a deliberate attack against the Jewish community.
Mayor Femke Halsema said the overnight blast caused limited damage to the outer wall of the school located in the Buitenveldert district and that no injuries were reported.
Condemning the incident, the mayor described it as “a cowardly act of aggression towards the Jewish community,” stressing that Amsterdam must remain a place where Jews can live safely.
Security had already been heightened at Jewish public institutions following a suspected arson attack on a synagogue in Rotterdam last Friday.
According to local media reports, Dutch firefighters and police were deployed to the scene shortly after the explosion.
Authorities are also examining CCTV footage which reportedly shows a person placing explosives near the school.
In a statement after the blast, Mayor Halsema said she understood the fear and anger among Jewish residents of Amsterdam.
“They are increasingly confronted with antisemitism, and that is unacceptable,” she said.
Police have launched an investigation into the incident but have not publicly disclosed a possible motive.
The attack comes amid growing concerns that Jewish and American communities worldwide could face threats following joint strikes by Israel and the United States against Iran.
BBC/Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle
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