The Mayor of Antwerp Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist) has told VRT News that he would welcome the return of soldiers to the streets of the city's Jewish Quarter if this were necessary to ensure the security and safety of those that live there. Mr De Wever added that he had always opposed the decision of the outgoing federal government to end the presence of soldiers in Jewish Quarter and that the decision was taken without consultations having taken place with the City of Antwerp or with the local community.
Mayor of Antwerp in favour of the return of soldiers to the streets of the city’s Jewish Quarter “if it is necessary to ensure security”
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Mr De Wever was speaking in response to Sunday evening’s police operation in which several youths were taken into preventative custody as they were allegedly planning to attack Jewish people.
“I have always opposed what was a unilateral decision by the outgoing federal government to end the deployment of troops as there had been no change in the level of threat towards the Jewish community”’ Mr De Wever said. The mayor of Antwerp went on to highlight the continued deployment of officers from the local and federal police services to address security concerns felt by the Jewish community in Antwerp since the start of the conflict in Gaza.
Following Sunday's arrests, a strong feeling of insecurity has once again taken hold within the Jewish community. The Flemish nationalist local councilor and MP Michaël Freilich is has called for a redeployment of troops on the streets of Antwerp’s Jewish Quarter.
Echoing his party colleague’s words, Mr De Wever told VRT News that he understands fully the concerns of his city’s Jewish community. “I fully understand the concerns of the Jewish community, for whom the unilateral decision to withdraw soldiers from the streets of the area where they live was a real slap in the face. We should monitor the situation closely. I would also be very happy to see the soldiers return if this is useful and necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of Antwerp's Jewish community.”
Finally, Mr De Wever stressed that the Antwerp City Council will ensure that foreign conflicts are not imported into the city.