Belgian soldiers have been deployed in recent days to guard synagogues, schools and other Jewish sites in Antwerp, amid a rise in antisemitic incidents in Belgium and across Europe.
The move, approved by Interior Minister Bernard Quintin and Defense Minister Theo Francken, follows a series of attacks, including an explosion earlier this month near a synagogue in the city of Liege.
Operational control of the deployment will remain with the federal police, working in close coordination with the defense ministry.
The decision comes against the backdrop of a broader wave of incidents across Europe. On March 9, an explosion was reported near a synagogue in Liege. Days later, additional incidents were reported in Rotterdam and Amsterdam, including arson at a synagogue and an explosion at a Jewish school.
In Norway, an explosion occurred near the U.S. Embassy on March 8. In the United Kingdom, four ambulances belonging to a Jewish rescue organization were set on fire overnight in London’s Golders Green neighborhood.
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A child waves to one of the armed soldiers guarding synagogues in Belgium
(Photo: Yves Herman/Reuters)
Jewish lawmaker Michael Freilich, who pushed for the deployment, welcomed the decision.
“The federal police called in the army, in accordance with the law, to protect Jewish sites now that the threat is real,” he said. “It is good to finally see action following a series of attacks. Safety must come first.”
Lawmaker Sam Van Rooy of the right-wing Vlaams Belang party also supported the move, saying his understanding of Israel’s security situation influenced his position.
“The more I learned, the more I understood that Israel is fighting our war as well,” he said in the past.
The local organization JID, which works to combat antisemitism, was also involved in efforts to bring about the deployment.
The move is not without precedent. In 2015, Belgium also deployed soldiers to secure Jewish institutions following terror threats at the time.
In Antwerp’s Jewish community, the presence of troops has been largely welcomed.
Residents said they feel “more secure and reassured” after weeks of rising concern. Zvi Graskopf, head of the local Shomrim organization, said security around community institutions had already been reinforced in recent weeks following the explosion in Liege and other incidents.
Community members said the recent wave of attacks across Europe has created a tangible sense of fear, and that the deployment of soldiers is seen as a necessary step.
They also expressed gratitude to the lawmakers and organizations involved in pushing for the decision.