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The assault is one of at least eight attacks reported against Jews in Antwerp in recent weeks.
By Shula Rosen
A 16-year-old ultra-Orthodox boy was attacked Friday on a central street in Antwerp by a Muslim man while returning from yeshiva. Local Jewish security volunteers reported the incident as part of a recent series of assaults against Jews in the Belgian city.
Members of the volunteer security group Shomrim apprehended the suspect shortly after the attack and transferred him to police custody.
Authorities took the man in for questioning. According to reports, he is known to authorities.
Community organizations say the assault is one of at least eight attacks reported against Jews in Antwerp in recent weeks, including four incidents involving children.
Some of the cases are believed to have been motivated by antisemitism.
Shomrim said the rise in incidents has coincided with the outbreak of Operation Roaring Lion.
Zvi Graskopf, chairman of the organization in Antwerp, told the Jewish community that security patrols across the city have been expanded.
He said volunteers are frequently present on the streets and remain in direct communication with police in order to maintain heightened security in neighborhoods with large ultra-Orthodox populations.
Concern has also grown following an explosion last week outside a synagogue in the city of Liege.
The blast caused no injuries but shattered windows in buildings across the street. The mayor of Liege described the act as “criminal and antisemitic.” The synagogue serves as both a place of worship and a museum documenting the history of the local Jewish community.
Police are continuing to investigate and have not announced any arrests.
Incidents affecting Jewish institutions have also been reported in the neighboring Netherlands.
A Jewish school in Amsterdam experienced assaults during the Sabbath, and last Thursday there was an attempted arson attack on a synagogue in Rotterdam.
Jewish communities have called on authorities to increase security measures in response to the incidents.
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