Aged 14 and 17, two boys from Amsterdam have been arrested in Heemstede on suspicion of preparing an explosion to blow up a nearby synagogue.
The Openbaar Ministerie (OM or Public Prosecution Service) confirmed on Monday that the duo is up against charges for arson with a terrorist intent.
How the suspicion arose
Police had already been surveilling the Heemstede area when they came across what they describe as a “suspicious situation” near the Adriaan Pauwlaan on Thursday after midnight.
Both teenagers were taken in, while heavy fireworks were recovered in the surrounding area that same night.
According to the OM, it is possible that a nearby synagogue was meant to be the target of an imminent attack.
The blast was only averted, authorities say, thanks to the swift intervention of officers already present in the area.
The investigation continues
On Monday, the teenagers appeared before the examining magistrate. The judge decided to keep them in jail for another two weeks while the investigation continues.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Justice wrote on X: “We are on alert.”
We zijn alert. Snel en goed gehandeld door de @Politie en @Het_OM. Deze twee personen zijn aangehouden en vandaag voorgeleid. We blijven de veiligheidsmaatregelen nemen die nodig zijn.https://t.co/PofOPMWDFY
— David van Weel (@ministerjenv) March 23, 2026
Translation: “We are on alert. Swift and effective action taken by @Politie and @Het_OM. These two individuals have been arrested and brought before the court today. We will continue to take the necessary safety measures.”
This news follows just two weeks after a real blast hit a Jewish synagogue in Rotterdam, for which an Islamic resistance group took responsibility online.
At the same time, AD reports that five suspects were detained in connection with that bombing: four men and another teenager from Tilburg.
Do you think this is a case of anti-Semitism or easily influenced teenagers? Tell us in the comments.
