A synagogue in Rotterdam has been targeted in an arson attack early this morning.
Authorities described the incident as a deliberate fire set at the building, with no injuries reported and minimal damage as the flames extinguished themselves shortly after starting.
The arson comes just days after a similar attack in the Belgian city of Liege and was claimed by the same group. There was also an attack on a synagogue in the US state of Michigan, both explicitly targeting Jews.
The Rotterdam fire began around 3:40 am local time at the synagogue located on ABN Davidsplein, a central site for the city’s Jewish community.
Rotterdam police confirmed via social media that unidentified individuals started the blaze outside the structure.
Emergency services received a report of smoke at 3:42 am but the fire self-extinguished before requiring significant intervention. No arrests have been made and police are appealing for witnesses or additional evidence.
Rotterdam Mayor Carola Schouten said: “I was appalled to learn of the arson attack that took place last night at a synagogue in our city. This has caused great anxiety among our Jewish fellow citizens.
“There is no place in Rotterdam for anti-Semitism, intimidation, violence or hatred against religious communities. We will continue to closely monitor security around the synagogues.
“The police are investigating the arson attack,” he said.
BRANDAANSLAG SYNAGOGE ROTTERDAM
Dezelfde groep van de aanval op de synagoge in Luik lijkt deze aanval te hebben opgeëist.
Op beelden herken ik de ingang van de synagoge. pic.twitter.com/mXfKZl3Mmk
— Michael Vis (@MichaelVis_) March 13, 2026
An regular visitor to the synagogue, who wanted to remain anonymous, told daily De Telegraaf: “We were afraid this would happen. The question was not whether it would happen, but when”.
He lamented that, despite verbal support, there was a lack of action.
Before the arson attack, the leadership of the synagogue was talking with city officials regarding security.
A video of the attack was shared online. It was accompanied with a text in Arabic, stating it is “an attack on the Jews”.
There was also a logo with a gun on it, resembling other Shia terror groups and, although the organisation is not known, it was the same logo on a clip of the attack on the synagogue in Liege.
Official statements from Dutch and Belgian authorities, tthough, have not yet confirmed any perpetrators or formal claims of responsibility.
Israeli ambassador Zvi Vapni said the arson attack was “very disturbing”.
“At a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise in the Netherlands, it is essential to take strong action against hatred and to ensure the safety of the Jewish community.
“Let there be no doubt: Anti-Semitism is a malignant growth. Left untreated, it destroys its host,” he said.
“I am confident that the authorities will treat this incident with the seriousness it deserves.”
