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The decision follows an explosion last week outside a synagogue in Liège.
By United with Israel Staff
Belgium will deploy soldiers to help secure Jewish institutions following a recent attack on a synagogue in the city of Liège and a series of antisemitic incidents in neighboring countries.
Interior Minister Bernard Quintin and Defense Minister Theo Francken announced that the Belgian Defense Ministry, working alongside the federal police, will now take responsibility for security at locations connected to the Jewish community.
Under the plan, military personnel will be stationed at synagogues and Jewish schools across the country as soon as possible.
Operational coordination will remain under police authority, with the military providing additional support. Officials have not yet specified how many soldiers will be deployed.
The decision follows an explosion last week outside a synagogue in Liège. The blast caused damage but no injuries and is being investigated as a suspected antisemitic attack.
Authorities also cited a broader rise in antisemitic incidents across Europe, including recent cases in the Netherlands and Norway.
In Belgium, tensions have been heightened by a string of assaults against members of the Jewish community in Antwerp.
In one recent incident, a 16-year-old ultra-Orthodox boy was attacked by a Muslim man on a central street while returning from school. Local volunteer security group Shomrim detained the suspect and handed him over to police.
Community organizations say at least eight assaults against Jews have been reported in Antwerp in recent weeks, including several involving children.
Jewish security volunteers have expanded patrols in neighborhoods with large ultra-Orthodox populations and remain in close coordination with law enforcement.
Additional incidents have been reported in the neighboring Netherlands, including assaults near a Jewish school in Amsterdam and an attempted arson attack on a synagogue in Rotterdam.
Belgian officials say the deployment of soldiers is intended to reinforce existing police protection and provide an immediate increase in security around Jewish institutions amid the rising threat.
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