Soldiers to provide security for Belgian synagogues and Jewish schools

After much deliberation, the go-ahead has now been given to deploy soldiers to guard synagogues and Jewish schools. This will happen as soon as possible, the ministers Quintin and Francken say.

Earlier this year, interior minister Quintin had announced that military personnel would once again be deployed for security duties on the streets of Brussels and Antwerp. On Monday, the Mayor of Antwerp, Els van Doesburg (Flemish nationalist N-VA), urged for this to happen.

Gaining momentum following the Liège synagogue attack

Initially, the decision to deploy military personnel for security duties was prompted by the rising tensions around the conflict in Gaza. But now, following last week’s attack on a synagogue in the eastern city of Liège, deployment has clearly gained momentum.

“Against a backdrop of rising anti-Semitism, the attack on the synagogue in Liège has once again demonstrated that the threat to the Jewish community in Belgium is very real,” minister Quintin stated in a press release.

“Support for the police”

“Ensuring the safety of our fellow citizens is the duty of the state in all its forms, regardless of any political considerations. The deployment of military personnel to reinforce security around Jewish sites will provide direct support to the police services,” Quintin said.

"This deployment means we are bolstering the police services and contributing to the protection of the Jewish community in Belgium," defence Minister Theo Francken added.

Twenty synagogues and 4 Antwerp schools get extra protection

More details are emerging of the plan to deploy military personnel to guard Jewish institutions in Belgium. VRT News understands 24 locations are involved: four Jewish schools in Antwerp and 20 synagogues. The information comes from government sources. More than 50 military personnel are expected to be deployed, possibly as early as this week, in joint patrols with the police. The soldiers will be deployed “for as long as necessary”.

Not discussed in cabinet

The decision to deploy now was not discussed in cabinet beforehand, justice minister Annelies Verlinden says in response.

“We take note of the decision by the ministers of the interior and defence regarding the deployment of military personnel,” she states.

Within the federal coalition government, the issue had been linked to another agreement: Flemish Christian democrat CD&V was only prepared to agree to the deployment of military personnel on the streets once there was also consensus on how to tackle prison overcrowding, a pressing issue for Verlinden.

But apparently the ministers Quintin and Francken have taken the initiative, as no agreement could be reached within the government. "Minister Verlinden will bring this to the government’s attention very shortly" the minister’s office says.