Belgian authorities have taken this step after a bomb attack on a synagogue following the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran.
Defense Minister Theo Franken said Belgium has deployed troops to protect Jewish sites in major cities across the country.
Belgian authorities announced last week that the armed forces would begin helping police protect Jewish places of worship and educational institutions in the capital Brussels, as well as in Antwerp and Liège. The decision followed an attack on a synagogue in Liège and similar incidents in the neighboring Netherlands following the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran in late February.
On Monday, Franken confirmed that troops had begun their mission in Antwerp, posting a photo of soldiers in bulletproof vests and with rifles in hand.
“The city is a little safe again… the Jewish community too. We say no to anti-Semitism,” the minister wrote.
Yves Oshinsky, chairman of the Coordination Committee of Belgian Jewish Organizations, told Reuters the country’s Jewish community is worried about its safety after an explosion at a synagogue in Liège on March 9.
There were no casualties in the incident as the blast occurred in the morning. The attack, which blew out windows and caused other damage to the historic building, is being investigated as an act of terrorism.
Speaking about the deployment of troops to Belgian cities, Oshinsky said that “We need this,” add it “We are somehow reassured, but we are never free from anxiety.”
“We always need security, security. We need security for our children, for schools, for youth movements.” he insisted.
Jewish institutions have also been attacked in the Netherlands in March, including explosions at a school in Amsterdam and a synagogue in Rotterdam. No one was injured in both the incidents.
Dutch Justice Minister David Van Weel said this last week “It is likely that Iran is involved” There has been an explosion in Rotterdam “Clearly an investigation is being conducted.”
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