Ministers defend use of soldiers during Brussels synagogue visit

Belgian ministers have defended the return of soldiers to the streets during a visit to the Great Synagogue in Brussels. They stressed that the move is to support police and protect vulnerable communities.

Interior minister Bernard Quintin and Defence minister Theo Francken said the deployment is aimed in particular at safeguarding Jewish sites in Brussels and Antwerp amid heightened security concerns.

Around 100 soldiers are currently patrolling under Operation “Green Shield”, mainly guarding Jewish locations. The number could rise to 200. The mission is expected to last at least three months.

Quintin stressed that the army is not replacing the police. “This is about reinforcement where needed, so police can continue their work”, he said. Francken added that “extra eyes are always useful” and pointed to increased threats.

The decision follows an explosion at a synagogue in Liege earlier this month.

Soldiers to provide security for synagogues and Jewish schools in Belgium

The ministry of Defence, in collaboration with the federal police, will be responsible for the security of sites linked to the Jewish community in...

belganewsagency.eu

Separate incidents have added to a sense of insecurity. In Antwerp, a car was deliberately set on fire overnight near the Jewish quarter. Two minors were arrested. Prosecutors are examining possible links to terrorism, though motives remain unclear.

Meanwhile, a false bomb alert at Brussels-South station caused major disruption on Monday evening, halting rail traffic and affecting thousands of passengers. No suspects have yet been identified.

^{© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}