Belgium to pull federal policy security for Antwerp's Jewish Quarter - Mathilda Heller

 

by Mathilda Heller

Despite surging antisemitism and hate crimes globally, the 16 officers of the federal police who protect the Jewish quarter in Antwerp will no longer be deployed after January first.

 

Antwerp mayor Els Van Doesburg speaks during the official appointment of the new acting mayor of Antwerp city, during the city council, in Amsterdam, on February 24, 2025.

(photo credit: JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

 

Belgium is ending federal police security in the Jewish quarter of Antwerp on January 1, in a decision called "incomprehensible" by Mayor Van Doesburg.

Despite surging antisemitism and hate crimes globally, the 16 officers of the federal police who are responsible for the protection of the Jewish quarter in Antwerp will no longer be deployed after 1 January.

Mayor Els van Doesburg confirmed this in the talk show 'De Tafel van Gert' on Play.

Half of the Jewish quarter's security suddenly disappears

She told the Belga news agency, "The Jewish community across the country has been under increased threat level since 2014. Federal agents were also provided for the security of the Jewish quarter, who, together with local agents, ensured this security. It's a fifty-fifty split between federal and local, so half of the effort suddenly disappears."

Van Doesburg called the decision "incomprehensible":

Massive crowds in red flooded Groenplaats in Antwerp, Belgium on June 14, 2025 in a first-of-its-kind protest, drawing a symbolic ''red line'' for Gaza and denouncing Belgium's support for Israel. (credit: MOUNEB TAIM/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

"There must be no vacuum in the safety of the Jewish quarter in Antwerp," she added.

Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (MR) confirmed the decision, but said that the security of Jewish sites remains "an absolute priority".

Mathilda Heller

Source: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-880618

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