Fears and Concerns in Netherlands: Bomb Threat at Christian Center Supporting Israel
Dutch police are hunting a suspect after an explosion at a pro-Israel Christian center in Nijkerk, marking a troubling escalation amid rising attacks on Jewish and allied sites nationwide.
Dutch police have launched a manhunt for a suspected terrorist following an explosion at a building of a Christian group supporting Israel on Friday night. The explosion occurred at the Israeli Center, located in central Netherlands in the Nijkerk area, causing limited damage but, fortunately, no casualties.
According to the Dutch public broadcaster, authorities are searching for a suspect who was wearing black clothing and was seen placing an explosive device in front of the building. The Israeli Center belongs to a Christian group aimed at promoting closer ties with Israel and frequently hosts lectures about the Jewish state, while also selling products made there.
The facility has previously been targeted in attacks against Israel, such as vandalism and protests in the surrounding areas. However, the center’s director, Frank van Ord, described the bombing as a significant escalation of the attacks.
“People who come to express their dissatisfaction have the right to demonstrate. That is acceptable,” he said. “This is an attack. We have never experienced anything like this before.”
Responding to the attack, the mayor of Nijkerk, Tine de Jong-Ruitenbeek, stated: “Our care and support go to the people of the Center. It is tragic that they have to endure this. I have visited the Israeli Center and spoken to the people there. I was impressed by their resilience.”
The Israeli ambassador to the Netherlands, Zvi Vapni, added: “Initially, Jews faced threats and attacks in the Netherlands. Now Christians who support Israel are also being targeted.”
“This explosion at the Christian Center for Israel in Nijkerk is not an isolated incident: these criminals must be caught and punished. This is the only way to confront fanatics who try to spread fear and hatred.”
Indeed, this attack follows several others against Jewish institutions in the Netherlands in recent weeks, including a fire at a synagogue in Rotterdam and another explosion at a Jewish school in Amsterdam, suspected acts of retaliation related to the conflict in Iran.
