Explosion Hits Pro-Israel Center in Dutch Town

An explosion targeted a pro-Israel center run by a Christian nonprofit in the central Dutch town of Nijkerk late Friday, causing minimal damage but no injuries, police reported Saturday.

The blast occurred outside the gate of the Israel Center, operated by Christians for Israel, when the building was empty. According to a police statement, investigations indicated that a person dressed in black placed an explosive device at the site. Officers appealed for witnesses to come forward but said no arrests had been made and it was too early to determine a motive. The incident prompted heightened security measures around Jewish and pro-Israel institutions in the region.

Christians for Israel, which promotes biblical understanding of Israel's role and supports the country through prayer and practical actions, described the attack as shocking and part of a worrying pattern targeting such sites. The center in Nijkerk hosts exhibitions, lectures and a shop selling Israeli products. In a social media post, the group noted that while physical damage was limited, the psychological impact was significant, especially as it happened on the eve of Easter, a major Christian holiday.