By John Q. Hosedrinker 
An explosion targeted a Jewish school in Amsterdam overnight, an act the mayor denounced as a cowardly assault on the Jewish community. This incident follows a series of antisemitic attacks across Europe, including explosions at synagogues in Rotterdam and Liège, and a car-ramming at a synagogue in Michigan. Police have obtained images of a suspect in the Amsterdam explosion, and the heightened security reflects growing concerns over the rise of antisemitic violence.
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An explosion recently rocked a Jewish school in Amsterdam, an incident that the city’s mayor has unequivocally described as a “targeted attack” against the Jewish community. This event isn’t an isolated one; it tragically adds to a disturbing pattern of recent attacks on Jewish institutions globally. In just the past week, there have been multiple such incidents, including two in Toronto, one in Detroit, one in Norway, one in Rotterdam, another in Amsterdam, and at least one in Liège. The sheer frequency and scope of these attacks are deeply concerning.
For those who may not align with the political stance of Israel, it’s baffling to witness such efforts being directed towards harming Jewish citizens in countries far removed from the region. The act of making Jewish individuals feel unsafe and unwelcome in their own homelands seems counterproductive, potentially pushing them towards the very place their critics might wish to see them go. This paradox highlights the senselessness of such violence, as it doesn’t appear to achieve any rational political objective and instead inflicts pain and fear on innocent people.
The Jewish community in Amsterdam, like Jewish communities everywhere, deserves to live without the constant threat of violence. The fear and disruption caused by these attacks are profound. For instance, a Jewish Community Center near one commenter has reportedly had to close its doors 12 times in the last five months due to threats alone, underscoring the pervasive anxiety that has become a part of daily life for many. The school in Amsterdam, which also serves as a preschool, makes this incident particularly heartbreaking, as it targets the youngest and most vulnerable members of the community.
There’s a deeply unsettling pattern in the rhetoric surrounding these attacks, where antisemitism often masquerades as anti-Zionism. It’s as if there’s a twisted logic that dictates if you dislike the policies of the Israeli government, the appropriate response is to terrorize Jews in their home countries. This notion that all Jews are responsible for the actions of the Israeli government is a dangerous oversimplification and a classic antisemitic trope. The sentiment of telling Jews to “Go back to Israel!” when they are in diaspora, only to then face condemnation or hostility from the very same individuals when they are in Israel, reveals the inherent prejudice at play. It’s a no-win situation, demonstrating that the core issue for some is not a disagreement over politics, but a fundamental dislike of Jewish people.
The tendency to deny or downplay the antisemitic nature of these attacks, often by framing them as mere “retaliations” for Israeli actions, is also deeply troubling. The narrative that these acts are never simply about antisemitism but are always a consequence of Israel’s policies ignores the historical reality of anti-Jewish hatred and the agency of those perpetrating these attacks. When individuals attribute systemic racism to acts of violence against minority groups, as seen after 9/11, it’s hypocritical to then make excuses for the bombing and shooting of Jews by claiming it’s understandable because of something Israel did. The suggestion that these might be “false flag” attacks, a conspiracy theory often invoked, further dismisses the lived experiences of targeted communities and shifts blame away from the perpetrators.
This kind of intellectual contortion and denial is what one might expect from certain political fringes, not from those who claim to be progressive. It’s disheartening to see such discourse. The idea that causing widespread destruction at schools would somehow alter Israel’s political trajectory is absurd. It begs the question of what justifications will be offered to those who carry out such acts of terror. Some observers are quite blunt, stating that these individuals hate Jews so much that they are essentially acting as the “new Nazis.” It’s a stark reminder that anti-Zionism can, and all too often does, morph into plain old antisemitism.
While Dutch officials and police are taking the incident in Amsterdam very seriously, with the intent to scare schoolchildren being a primary concern, some local accounts suggest the physical damage might be less severe than the term “explosion” implies. Eyewitnesses describe it as more akin to fireworks against an outer wall, leaving the structure intact, albeit with some cosmetic blackening. However, even if the damage is not catastrophic, the intent to instill fear in children is undeniably a grave matter.
It’s crucial for the global community to understand that Jewish people and the Israeli government are not interchangeable. Holding all Jewish individuals accountable for the actions of a state is a form of collective punishment and a manifestation of antisemitism. The “river to the sea” rhetoric, often associated with calls for the dismantling of Israel, is increasingly being linked to acts of violence against Jews, raising serious questions about the true intentions of those employing it.
The attempt to distinguish between “anti-Zionism” and “anti-Semitism” often feels disingenuous when the latter leads to attacks on Jewish people. When “Zionist” is used as a euphemism for “Jew,” and calls for “Globalize the Intifada” are made, it becomes clear that the line between legitimate political critique and outright hatred has been crossed. It’s regrettable that some may exploit such tragedies to attack those who advocate for Palestinian rights, but the actions of the perpetrators must be condemned unequivocally.
There’s a cyclical argument suggesting that Israel’s actions, and specifically those of leaders like Netanyahu, have inflamed antisemitism worldwide. While criticism of government policies is legitimate, it’s a dangerous leap to suggest that such criticism justifies or directly causes attacks on Jewish communities. Such reasoning can create a dangerous justification for hatred. Conversely, these attacks can also have the unintended consequence of pushing more Jewish people to consider immigrating to Israel, which is the opposite of what those who target them might desire.
The increasing number of attacks on non-Israeli Jews is revealing, acting as a “mask off” moment for those who harbor antisemitic sentiments. No member of any Jewish community, anywhere in the world, deserves to be subjected to this kind of violence and fear. The broad support for the “idea” of Israel among the global Jewish population, even among those who disagree with specific policies, does not make them collectively responsible for the actions of its government. For many, the person responsible for these attacks is likely an antisemite who dislikes Jewish people irrespective of any political context.
These acts of violence are rarely the result of rational, cost-benefit analyses. For those perpetrating them, the motivation is often rooted in a deep-seated hatred of Jews that predates the current political landscape and is not solely about Israel. The rise of far-right politicians and governments, alongside the actions of the IDF, is cited by some as contributing to a more dangerous environment for Jews globally. However, this context should not be used to excuse or minimize the reprehensible actions of those who carry out attacks on Jewish individuals and institutions.
Building good relationships with surrounding communities is often suggested as a way forward for Jewish people, though this is undoubtedly challenging in the current climate. The idea of starting with Palestinians is presented, highlighting a desire for peace and understanding. Yet, the current wave of attacks suggests a profound breakdown in such relationships, fueled by a hatred that seems to transcend political discourse.
The fear and insecurity are palpable within Jewish communities. Many are implementing heightened security measures, with some daycares resorting to armed guards. This is a stark reality for a community that feels increasingly vulnerable. In light of these events, some communities have held special Shabbat services, finding solace and strength in shared faith and mutual support. The singing of songs written in the darkest of times, like those composed on cattle cars to Treblinka, serves as a powerful reminder of resilience and the enduring human spirit, even amidst unimaginable hardship.
The narrative that Israel’s actions make global Jewish populations less safe is a complex one, often used to justify certain viewpoints. While it’s true that the actions of any state can have repercussions, it’s a distortion to place the blame for antisemitic attacks solely on Israel. These attacks are the responsibility of those who carry them out and are motivated by hatred, not by the policies of a nation-state. It is a disturbing reality when victims of oppression appear to be replicating the behavior of their oppressors. However, this context does not diminish the reprehensibility of the attacks themselves.
Ultimately, the attacks on Jewish schools and synagogues are not simply political statements; they are acts of terror fueled by antisemitism. The denial, justification, and deflection surrounding these incidents are as damaging as the physical attacks themselves. The Jewish people deserve to live in safety and peace, free from the pervasive threat of hatred and violence, regardless of their location or their views on the state of Israel.