Belgian authorities deploy military to defend Jewish community

The Belgian army will join police officers to protect the country’s Jewish community, following antisemitic attacks in the country.

Interior minister Bernard Quintin and defence minister Theo Francken said heightened security measures will be implemented at synagogues and Jewish schools as quickly as possible.

Francken added: “The safety of every citizen must be guaranteed” and “antisemitism and hatred against Jews will never be tolerated.”

The number of soldiers from the Belgian Armed Forces (BAF) has yet to be confirmed.

The news comes amidst fears of co-ordinated terror attacks by a group calling itself  the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right (IMCR) on European synagogues, as war with the Iranian regime continues.

These include an explosion on Monday 9 March near a synagogue in Liège, an attempted terror attack on Thursday 12 March at Det Mosaiske Trossamfunn synagogue in Trondheim, Norway, an arson attack at a synagogue in Rotterdam on Friday 13 March and an explosion that damaged a Jewish school in Amsterdam on Saturday 14 March.

In a statement on social media, The European Jewish Congress welcomed the move by the Belgian government, saying the measure “comes in response to a series of alarming incidents” and “reflects the very real security concerns faced by Jewish communities in Belgium and across Europe.

“Ensuring the safety of synagogues, schools and community spaces is essential. This step sends an important signal that the protection of Jewish life is a priority and that concrete action is being taken in the face of rising antisemitism.”

They reiterated their call for “a comprehensive national strategy to combat antisemitism, as well as the appointment of a dedicated coordinator to ensure effective implementation and long-term impact. We thank the security forces for their commitment and protection.”

The EJC’s Belgian counterpart, the Coordinating Committee of Jewish Organisations in Belgium, thanked interior and defence ministers “for their decision to deploy soldiers in front of our community institutions. This measure offers Belgian Jews greater peace of mind. Thanks to the soldiers for their protection.”

The move is not unprecedented; amidst heightened terror concerns in 2015, the Belgian army was enlisted to protect sites related to the Jewish community in a move called Operation ‘Vigilant Guardian’.