AMSTERDAM, March 13 (Reuters) - Dutch police open an investigation into an arson attack on a synagogue in Rotterdam on Friday, in the latest incident of suspected antisemitic violence since the start
Four men arrested after Rotterdam synagogue arson attack
Details and Context of Recent Synagogue Attacks
Rotterdam Synagogue Arson Attack
AMSTERDAM, March 13 (Reuters) - Dutch police on Friday said four men were arrested after an arson attack on a synagogue in the centre of Rotterdam, in the latest incident of suspected antisemitic violence since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
No one was injured as a result of the fire, which was caused by an explosion around 3:40 a.m. (0240 GMT), Rotterdam police said.
Police said surveillance had immediately been increased at other synagogues across the city.
Arrests and Investigation
The four men were held after police stopped a car that was driving suspiciously near another synagogue, with the description of the driver matching one of the perpetrators of the earlier attack.
It was unclear if the four suspects, aged 17 to 19, had plans for attacks on other synagogues, police said, as they called for information from witnesses.
Other Recent Antisemitic Attacks
Explosion at Belgian Synagogue
Another synagogue, around 200 km (124 miles) southeast in neighbouring Belgium, was hit by an explosion on Monday in what authorities said was an antisemitic attack. That attack caused damage but no injuries.
Incident in Michigan, U.S.
In Michigan in the U.S., a Lebanon-born U.S. citizen crashed his truck into a synagogue and its preschool and was shot dead.
Global Concerns and Reactions
Rising Security Concerns
Impact of U.S.-Israeli Airstrikes on Iran
Concerns about possible attacks against Jewish communities around the world have risen following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran and a subsequent response by Iran.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Inti Landauro and Bart Meijer;Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta, William Maclean and Sharon Singleton)
