Pro-Israel Christian Organisation Targeted in Explosive Attack on Good Friday
Nijkerk, 4 April 2026
A bomb exploded at the Christians for Israel headquarters in Nijkerk during the early hours of Saturday morning, marking an escalation in attacks against pro-Israel organisations in the Netherlands. Police are hunting a black-clad suspect who planted the device at the building’s gate around 23:30 on Friday evening. The explosion occurred on Good Friday, one of Christianity’s holiest days, which the organisation’s leadership described as deliberate intimidation. No injuries were reported, but the incident follows a disturbing pattern of explosions targeting Jewish buildings across the country in March, with Dutch intelligence suggesting Iranian regime involvement in orchestrating these attacks.
Investigation Underway as Police Seek Black-Clad Suspect
Dutch police launched an immediate investigation after officers patrolling the area heard an explosion and witnessed a light flash at approximately 23:30 on Friday evening [1][2]. The blast occurred at the entrance gate of the Israëlcentrum on Henri Nouwenstraat, with forensic teams conducting evidence gathering and reviewing potential camera footage [1]. Authorities confirmed that a person dressed entirely in black clothing placed the explosive device at the building before fleeing the scene [1][2]. Police are conducting door-to-door inquiries in the neighbourhood and have appealed for witnesses or anyone with security camera footage to come forward [1].
Limited Physical Damage But Significant Psychological Impact
Whilst material damage to the Christians for Israel building proved minimal, the psychological impact on staff has been substantial [3][4]. Sara van Oordt, the organisation’s head of communications, described the shock as profound, stating that the limited physical damage belied the significant emotional toll on the organisation [3]. The building was unoccupied at the time of the explosion, preventing any physical injuries [1][2]. Van Oordt emphasised the deliberate timing of the attack, noting it occurred on the eve of Easter, which she described as ‘the most important day of the year for Christians’ [3]. The organisation has characterised the incident as pure intimidation designed to spread fear amongst those who support Israel [3].
Christians for Israel: A Four-Decade Mission Under Threat
The targeted organisation, Christians for Israel, was established in the Netherlands in 1979 and has since expanded to operate in over forty countries, all coordinated from their Nijkerk headquarters [4][5]. The orthodox-Protestant organisation describes its building as ‘a meeting place for Christians with hearts for Israel’ and has been involved in providing financial support to Israeli settlements [4][6]. This incident represents an escalation from previous disruptions the organisation has faced, including pro-Palestinian protests at gatherings in Barneveld and Katwijk during 2025 that resulted in aggressive confrontations and object-throwing [4][5]. In May 2025, a Christians for Israel meeting in Barneveld was specifically disrupted, demonstrating the ongoing tensions surrounding the organisation’s activities [3].
Part of Broader Pattern Targeting Jewish and Pro-Israel Institutions
The Nijkerk explosion forms part of a concerning series of attacks against Jewish institutions across the Netherlands that began in March 2026 [4][5][6]. Earlier incidents included explosions at a Jewish school in Amsterdam and a firebomb attack on a synagogue in Rotterdam, with four suspects arrested in connection with the synagogue incident on terrorism charges [4][5][6]. The Dutch Public Prosecutor’s Office has classified the Rotterdam synagogue attack as terrorism [5]. Intelligence analysis from the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism in The Hague concluded that these attacks were ‘highly likely’ commissioned by the Iranian regime [6]. Israeli Ambassador to the Netherlands Zvi Vapni responded to the Nijkerk incident by noting that ‘now also Christians who support Israel are targets’, highlighting the expanding scope of these coordinated attacks [3][6].