Police investigating threat to shoot three children at Jewish school in Amsterdam
The Cheider school in Amsterdam received an email from a man who threatened to shoot three children there on February 4, AT5 reported. Police and prosecutors are investigating the threat sent to the Jewish school in the Buitenveldert neighborhood.
The Public Prosecution Service told several media outlets they believe the suspect is a 31-year-old man who is currently in Turkey. As such, he has yet to be arrested. The Public Prosecution Service could not give any further details about the man’s identity as it is part of an ongoing investigation. They also would not respond to questions about whether an extradition request has been sent to Turkish authorities.
The Cheider school has thus far remained open despite the incident. The school has been under a higher level of security for several years. This includes more robust fencing, and police officers are often in the vicinity of the school.
Cheider and two other Jewish schools in Amsterdam were forced to close in October 2023 after a Hamas call for people to join protests, and to take a stand against Israel. This followed Israel's immediate response after Hamas crossed the border with the Gaza Strip and killed 1,200 people while abducting 251 others.
The Hamas statement was interpreted by Dutch Jewish organization CJO as a call to attack and kill Jewish people around the world. That prompted the leaders at the Jewish schools in Amsterdam to close their doors for a period of time.
The board running the Cheider school board has not yet commented on the new threats, and the decision to remain open to students this time.
