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The Dutch police have embarked on an urgent search for a suspected terrorist following a bombing at the premises of a Christian pro-Israel organization last Friday night.
An explosion struck the Israel Center, located in Nijkerk, a municipality in central Netherlands, causing minimal damage but, luckily, leaving no one harmed.
As reported by the Dutch public broadcaster, authorities are actively seeking a suspect described as wearing black attire, who was allegedly spotted placing an explosive device at the building’s entrance.
The Israel Center, managed by a Christian group dedicated to fostering stronger connections with Israel, regularly organizes lectures on the Jewish nation and sells Israeli-made products.
This location has previously experienced anti-Israel incidents, including graffiti vandalism and nearby protests. However, director Frank Van Oordt noted that this bombing marks a significant and concerning escalation in such activities.
“People who come to express their dissatisfaction fall under the right to demonstrate. That’s fine,” he said. “This is an attack. We have never experienced anything like this.”
Responding to the attack, Nijkerk Mayor Tinet de Jonge-Ruitenbeek said: “Our care and compassion goes out to the people of Christians for Israel and local residents. It is terrible that they have to experience this. I have been to the Israel Center and talked to the people there and am impressed by their resilience.”
Israeli Ambassador to the Netherlands, Zvi Vapni, added: “First, Jews were intimidated and attacked in the Netherlands. Now Christians who support Israel are being targeted too.
“This explosion at the Christenen voor Israel Center in Nijkerk is not an isolated incident: these criminals must be captured and punished. This is the only way to deal with fanatics who wants to spread fear and hate.”
Indeed, the attack follows multiple other attacks against Jewish institutions across the Netherlands in recent weeks, including a fire at a synagogue in Rotterdam and another explosion at a Jewish school in Amsterdam, in suspected acts of revenge over the conflict in Iran.