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A Jewish school in Amsterdam was damaged by an explosion early on Saturday, in what the city’s mayor, Femke Halsema, described as ‘a deliberate attack against the Jewish community.’ The incident occurred in an upscale residential neighborhood on the south side of Amsterdam, causing limited damage to the school. No injuries were reported, and police and firefighters quickly arrived at the scene. The explosion is the latest in a series of attacks against Jewish communities in the region, including an overnight arson attack at a synagogue in Rotterdam on Friday and an explosion that caused a fire at a synagogue in Liege, Belgium, on Monday. Mayor Halsema condemned the attack, stating that ‘Jewish people in Amsterdam are increasingly confronted with antisemitism. This is unacceptable.’ The incident has raised concerns about the safety of Jewish institutions and communities around the world, particularly in the wake of US and Israeli attacks on Iran and a subsequent response from Tehran. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten also denounced the attack, calling it ‘horrible’ and assuring that the safety of Jewish institutions has the government’s full attention. In Pakistan, where religious minorities have faced similar challenges, the incident serves as a reminder of the need for increased vigilance and cooperation to prevent such attacks. The Pakistani government has taken steps to protect minority communities, including the passage of laws against hate speech and the establishment of a national commission for minority rights. However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of extremism and promote tolerance and understanding. As the international community grapples with the rise in anti-Semitic attacks, it is essential to recognize the importance of protecting minority rights and promoting interfaith dialogue and cooperation.
