Attacks on Jewish institutions in Europe
A 32-year-old man was arrested in Turkey on July 27, 2026, for alleged involvement in a series of attacks targeting Jewish sites across Europe, including the Cheider Jewish school in Amsterdam, a Rotterdam synagogue, and an American bank in Amsterdam. As of July 27, 2026, this arrest follows the detention of seven people in Belgium on June 26, 2026, in connection with a bomb attack on a Liege synagogue in March, and the arrest of a 16-year-old boy in Amsterdam on June 3, 2026, for similar incidents. An Iraqi national, Mohammad Baqer Al-Saadi, linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has been accused of directing these attacks, with the previously unknown group Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right (IMCR) claiming responsibility for the Amsterdam school attack on March 14, 2026. The Cheider Jewish school in Amsterdam closed on May 21, 2026, due to threats, marking its second closure this year.
Timeline
Want updates on this thread?
Track this storyTimeline of developments
July 2026 — 1 developments
Arrest in Turkey Linked to European Attacks on Jewish Sites
A 32-year-old man was reportedly arrested in Turkey for alleged involvement in a series of attacks targeting Jewish sites across Europe. These attacks include the Amsterdam school incident, a Rotterdam synagogue, and an American bank in Amsterdam. The Jewish school Cheider in Amsterdam was closed on May 21, 2026, following an unspecified threat.
June 2026 — 4 developments
Seven detained in Belgium over March synagogue bombing in Liege
Seven people were detained in Belgium on June 26, 2026, in connection with a bomb attack on a synagogue in Liege in March. This incident occurred amidst rising antisemitism and followed a deliberate attack on a Jewish school in Amsterdam on March 14, 2026, and an arson attack on a Rotterdam synagogue the previous day.
Netherlands: Arrest made in terror plot targeting Jewish sites, investigation ongoing
A 20-year-old man was arrested on June 9, 2026, in connection with a planned terrorist attack on a synagogue in Heemstede, Netherlands. This arrest is part of a broader investigation into attacks on Jewish sites in the Netherlands earlier in the spring. Police are also releasing CCTV footage of a person placing an explosive device at the Jewish school in Amsterdam.
Two Arrested in Amsterdam Explosion Probe Linked to Jewish School Attack
Two suspects were arrested on June 17, 2026, in connection with an explosion in Amsterdam-Osdorp and are being investigated for causing the blast and preparing further explosions or ATM bomb attacks. Prosecutors disclosed the pair are suspected of possessing explosives, believed to have been harvested from dismantled high-powered fireworks.
Teenager Arrested in Amsterdam in Connection with March Attacks on Jewish Institutions
A 16-year-old boy was arrested in Amsterdam on June 3, 2026, in connection with a series of incidents in March, including attacks on synagogues and an explosion at a Jewish school. Investigators are examining whether these cases are connected.
May 2026 — 3 developments
Iranian operative accused of directing European attacks on Jewish targets
An Iraqi national, Mohammad Baqer Al-Saadi, linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has been accused of directing and plotting attacks on Jewish targets in Europe, including the recent explosion at a Jewish school in Amsterdam. The previously unknown group, Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right (IMCR), claimed responsibility for the Amsterdam attack. These attacks are believed to be part of a broader campaign of retaliation.
Man arrested in Turkey extradited to US over Amsterdam Jewish school bombing
An Iraqi national, accused of acting on behalf of an Iranian-linked Shia militia, has been arrested in Turkey and extradited to the United States in connection with the March 2026 explosion at a Jewish school in Amsterdam. Dutch investigators believe this individual was responsible for the attack.
Amsterdam Jewish school closes due to threats, second closure this year
The Cheider Jewish school in Amsterdam closed on May 21, 2026, due to threats, marking the second such closure this year. This action follows a previous explosion at the school on March 14, 2026.
April 2026 — 2 developments
Explosion at Israel Center in Nijkerk causes minor damage, no injuries
An explosion occurred at the Israel Center in Nijkerk on April 3, 2026, causing minor damage and no injuries. Authorities are investigating this as a targeted attack, considering it within a pattern of attacks on Jewish and pro-Israel institutions.
European Authorities Investigate HAYI's Potential Iran Links After Attacks in Netherlands
European authorities are investigating potential links to Iran, suspecting the extremist group HAYI, which claimed responsibility for attacks in the Netherlands, may be a front for Iranian-directed operations. This investigation is in connection with threats against Jewish institutions.
March 2026 — 5 developments
Dutch Authorities Detain Two Teenagers With Suspected Explosives Near Jewish Institution
Dutch authorities detained two teenagers on March 20, 2026, west of Amsterdam after finding suspected explosive materials near a Jewish institution. Authorities believe surveillance likely prevented an attack in this instance, which is part of a series of attacks targeting Jewish institutions.
Amsterdam Police Release Footage of Suspects Placing Explosive Device at Jewish School
Amsterdam police have released surveillance footage of two suspects on a motor scooter who allegedly placed an explosive device against a Jewish school's wall. City officials condemned the blast as a "deliberate attack" and a "cowardly act of aggression."
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya claims responsibility for Amsterdam explosions
An extremist group, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI), has claimed responsibility for the explosion at a Jewish school in Amsterdam on March 14, 2026, and a subsequent explosion at an office building in the city days later. The group has also claimed responsibility for other attacks across Europe, though its authenticity is under investigation.
Explosion damages Jewish school in Amsterdam, mayor calls it 'deliberate attack'
An explosion damaged a Jewish school in Amsterdam early on Saturday, in what the city's mayor described as "a deliberate attack against the Jewish community." The explosion caused limited damage, and no injuries were reported. Police are investigating the incident, examining camera footage for clues. This event occurred just one day after a similar attack on a synagogue in Rotterdam, raising fears of a coordinated campaign of antisemitic violence.
Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right claims responsibility for Rotterdam synagogue explosion
An explosion caused a small fire at a synagogue in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Friday night. Four men were arrested in connection with the incident. A newly formed extremist group, the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it was in response to the Israel-Hamas war. This event heightened concerns about potential copycat attacks and the spread of extremist ideologies.
April 2025 — 1 developments
Amsterdam Mayor Apologizes for City's WWII Persecution of Jewish Citizens
Amsterdam's mayor, Femke Halsema, issued an apology for the city's role in the persecution of its Jewish citizens during World War II. She stated that civil servants actively participated in the deportation and murder of Jewish residents. Halsema's apology followed an "eruption of antisemitism" six months prior, involving assaults on Israeli soccer fans, and a previous apology in 2020 for Amsterdam's role in the global slave trade. This historical reckoning aimed to acknowledge past wrongs and foster reconciliation.
February 2025 — 1 developments
Dutch Police Investigate Email Threat Against Jewish School Cheider in Amsterdam
Dutch police investigated a serious email threat made against the Jewish school Cheider in Amsterdam. The threat, sent from Turkey, stated an intention to shoot three children dead. The school, located in the Buitenveldert neighborhood, had already been heavily secured for years with extensive fencing, bollards, and guarded access points. This incident underscored ongoing security concerns for Jewish educational institutions in the city.
November 2024 — 3 developments
Amsterdam Mayor Halsema Regrets Using 'Pogrom' to Describe Attacks on Israeli Tourists
Amsterdam's mayor, Femke Halsema, expressed regret over her use of the word "pogrom" to describe the attacks on Israeli tourists. She stated that while the events brought back memories of pogroms, the term had become politicized and used as propaganda. Halsema noted that Israeli officials and some Dutch politicians used the word to discriminate against Moroccan and Muslim residents. The attacks involved assailants searching for Israeli fans, with some Maccabi fans also engaging in violent behavior, leading to a complex public discourse.
Mayor Halsema releases report on Amsterdam violence, citing 'toxic cocktail' of antisemitism and conflict
Mayor Femke Halsema released a report concluding that violence in Amsterdam was sparked by a "toxic cocktail" of antisemitism, football hooliganism, and anger over the Israel-Palestine war. The report acknowledged that while "terrible things happened," it did not negate the "hunt for Jews" that occurred. The findings were presented to the city council, with Halsema lamenting that injustice was done to both Jewish residents and minority groups sympathetic to Palestinians. This analysis aimed to contextualize the attacks and inform future policy.
Amsterdam Mayor Halsema condemns 'hit and run' attacks on Israeli football fans
Amsterdam's mayor, Femke Halsema, condemned "hit and run" attacks on Israeli football fans following a Europa League match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax. Mayor Halsema described the events as a "black night and a dark day" for the city, noting that men on scooters attacked supporters. The violence brought to mind historical anti-Jewish pogroms in Europe. Approximately 62 people were arrested, and five were treated in hospital, underscoring rising tensions and security concerns.