Israel warns of possibility of more attacks after Amsterdam explosion targeting bank

Following the explosion, which occurred early Monday at the Atrium office complex in Amsterdam’s Zuidas and reportedly targeted the Bank of New York Mellon, the bank would not comment, but the State of Israel issued a warning about the possibility the Netherlands could see more attacks from groups backing the Iranian regime. Additionally, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten met Monday with Jewish organizations affected by recent firebombing incidents, leaving one school director disappointed.

Israeli authorities have warned about a group claiming responsibility for explosions and arson targeting Jewish sites across Europe, including in the Netherlands. According to media reports such as Haaretz, footage of the incidents is being circulated via pro-Iranian social media channels linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement.

The group is known as Ashab al-Yamin and Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia and is believed to be behind anti-Jewish attacks in the Netherlands, Belgium, and possibly Greece. The Times of Israel reports that Israeli authorities intend the incidents to intimidate Jewish communities.

“Recent events in Europe do not stand alone but are part of a disturbing pattern: terrorist networks connected to the Iranian axis are attempting to expand their arena of activity into European cities and Jewish communities,” said Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli, who oversees efforts to combat antisemitism.

Authorities say the group may operate through lone actors or local cells directed from abroad. The recent cluster of attacks suggests a strong possibility of further incidents. Israeli officials also noted that the group’s name resembles that of a pro-Iranian militia whose leader was reportedly killed, raising the possibility that attacks on synagogues could be intended as retaliation.

In the meantime, Herman Loonstein, director of the Jewish school Cheider in Amsterdam, said he was “very disappointed” after meeting Prime Minister Jetten. “Jetten said cowardly antisemitic acts have been committed and that he invited the community to express emotions,” Loonstein said. “I did not come to express my emotions, but to hear what the government is doing to protect Jewish students. Again, no commitments were made about that.”

He also criticized the prime minister for not referring to the incidents as terrorist attacks. “The serious problems facing the Jewish population are being trivialized by the government. These are not isolated incidents. I am deeply disappointed,” Loonstein said.

According to Loonstein, fear among some students, parents, and teachers remains high and “has our full attention.” The school reopened Sunday.

After the meeting, Jetten described the discussion as “intense” and said it included “a lot of anger.” He said he took two key messages from the gathering: antisemitism should more often lead to police reports, prosecution, and punishment, and “we must do everything possible through education to make people understand that this is simply unacceptable.”