A historic synagogue in Liège was hit by an explosion at 4 am Monday, according to multiple reports. The blast is being investigated as a potential terrorist attack, according to major media sources. No one was injured. Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin called the Liège explosion a 'despicable antisemitic act', according to major media.
Separately, an explosion damaged a Jewish school in Amsterdam's Buitenveldert district in the early hours of Saturday morning, major media reported. The blast caused limited damage to the wall outside and no injuries, according to multiple reports. The person who detonated the device was caught on camera and a manhunt is underway, according to multiple reports. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema called it a 'deliberate attack against the Jewish community', according to major media.
This is a cowardly act of aggression against the Jewish community.
An explosion also caused a small fire at the entrance of a synagogue in Rotterdam on Friday, major media reported. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola condemned the Liège synagogue attack and pledged to combat antisemitism, according to major media.
Unverified images from a group calling itself 'Islamic Resistance Movement' claiming responsibility for the Amsterdam school attack are circulating on social media, according to major media.
Jewish people in Amsterdam are increasingly confronted with antisemitism. That is unacceptable. A school must be a place where children can learn safely. Amsterdam must be a place where Jews can live safely.
These incidents come amid a broader rise in antisemitic acts across Europe. French authorities recorded 92 incidents near synagogues and Jewish schools in October 2023, and antisemitic acts in France quadrupled in 2023 compared to the previous year, major media reported. In the UK, a terrorist attack on Heaton Synagogue in Manchester on 2 October 2025 killed two people, and there were 562 incidents targeting synagogues between 2023 and 2025, according to the Community Security Trust.
Cyprus arrested a suspected Hamas arms smuggler whose weapons were allegedly intended for attacks on Israeli or Jewish institutions in Germany and Europe, major media reported. Azerbaijani authorities said they foiled multiple attack plots linked to Tehran, including plans to use C-4 explosives against Jewish community institutions, according to major media. In the US, a motorist rammed a car filled with explosives into the gates of a synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, on Thursday; the driver was shot dead, according to major media.
The explosion in front of the Liege synagogue was a despicable antisemitic act that directly targeted the Jewish community of Belgium.
Experts warn that the escalating Iran war and broader regional conflict are heightening terror threats against Jewish communities in Europe, according to major media.
Authorities have not identified who is responsible for the Liège or Amsterdam explosions, and it remains unclear whether the three attacks are directly connected.
We must not hesitate, certainly not at my level, to qualify this as an antisemitic act.
There is only one synagogue in Liège. So it is not by chance.
It could evolve.
An explosion occurred at a Jewish school on Zeelandstraat in Amsterdam-Buitenveldert during the night from Friday to Saturday. Police and fire brigade responded quickly. The damage remained limited.