Rotterdam, Netherlands. Dutch police said they have opened an investigation into an arson attack on a synagogue in Rotterdam on Friday. The incident comes amid heightened concerns about attacks on Jewish communities following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran and Iran’s subsequent response.
Rotterdam synagogue fire
Rotterdam police said a fire was started at the synagogue at around 3:40 a.m. The fire burned for a short time before extinguishing, police said in a post on X.
No one was injured, the fire was out, and no arrests have been made, police said. Authorities called on witnesses to come forward with evidence.
Other reported incidents
Police in Rotterdam said the incident was the latest suspected antisemitic violence since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
In Belgium, another synagogue about 200 km away in the city of Liege was hit by an explosion on Monday in what authorities described as an antisemitic attack, causing damage but no injuries.
In Michigan in the United States, a Lebanon-born U.S. citizen crashed his truck into a synagogue and its preschool and was shot dead.
Rising security concerns
Concerns about possible attacks against Jewish communities worldwide have risen following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran and a subsequent response by Iran.
What steps do you think authorities should take to protect places of worship during periods of heightened tension?
