Dutch police are investigating an explosion that occurred at the Israel Center in the town of Nijkerk in the Netherlands late on Friday night, according to a report from Dutch news outlet NL Times.
“Around 11:30 p.m., we received a report of an explosion on Henri Nouwenstraat in Nijkerk. No one was injured. The damage appears limited for now. We are, of course, continuing our investigation,” NL Times quoted police as stating.
Local law enforcement is encouraging any witnesses to the explosion to come forward.
The Israel Center houses Christenen voor Israel, a Dutch Christian organization whose stated goal is “to be in solidarity with Israel and combat all forms of antisemitism,” according to its website.
In a statement regarding the explosion, Christenen voor Israel stated that its members were “shocked” to have been targeted by the attack.
“This attack affects not only us but is also a signal to the Jewish community in the Netherlands, which has long been confronted with threats and intimidation. This is a cause for great concern to us,” the statement continued.
Christenen voor Israel stated that despite the attack, they remain committed to combatting antisemitism and will not yield to attacks intended to sow fear in the community.
Dutch Jewish community targeted in multiple attacks
The Netherlands’ Jewish community has been the target of several attacks in recent months.
On March 12, a synagogue in Rotterdam also suffered an explosion, during which nobody was injured. Terrorist group Ashab Al Yamin claimed responsibility for the attack.
On March 14, a Jewish school in Amsterdam was targeted with an explosion that caused damage to the building but resulted in no injuries.