A teenager suspected of trying to burn down a synagogue with a Molotov cocktail was arrested in Poland

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Teenager Arrested in Connection with Arson Attack on Warsaw Synagogue

Warsaw, Poland – Polish police reported on Wednesday that they had arrested a teenager suspected of being involved in an arson attack at the Nozyk Synagogue in Warsaw. The synagogue was hit by a bottle containing a flammable substance, thrown by an unknown assailant on May 1, 2024.

In a statement posted on Polish Deputy Interior Minister Czeslaw Mroczek confirmed that the teenager was “suspected of having tried to burn down the synagogue.” Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski also condemned the attack, stating that “someone tried to burn down the Nozyk synagogue with a Molotov cocktail.”

Fortunately, no one was hurt in the incident, as confirmed by Polish President Andrzej Duda. He emphasized that “Anti-Semitism has no place in Poland. There is no place for hate in Poland.”

The Jewish community of Warsaw expressed their “concern and indignation” over the attack, but added that the synagogue was empty at the time of the incident and the property damage was minor.

Eliza Panek, vice president of the Warsaw Jewish community, stated that the fire from the Molotov cocktail went out on its own outside the building. She mentioned that the authorities are still investigating the motives behind the attack.

While no one has claimed responsibility for the incident, Foreign Minister Sikorski speculated about possible motives, suggesting a connection to similar incidents in Paris involving defaced Jewish symbols. French prosecutors had launched an investigation into the vandalism, linking it to Russian security services.

The Warsaw police assured that they are taking the incident seriously and are committed to bringing those responsible to justice. At this time, the investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of the attack on the Nozyk Synagogue in Warsaw.