Belgium deploys military to guard Jewish sites after Iran-linked group claims Europe attacks

U.S.Ambassador to Belgium, Bill White, visits the site of a synagogue damaged by an explosion early on Monday, in Liege, Belgium, March 9, 2026. (Yves Herman/Reuters)

Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin described the blast outside a synagogue in the eastern city of Liège as a “despicable antisemitic act” that directly targeted the country’s Jewish community.

Prime Minister Bart De Wever responded on X Monday morning, writing, “Antisemitism is an attack on our values and our society, and we must combat it unequivocally.We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in Liège and throughout the country.”

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com/category/world/conflicts/iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener">war in Iranhas likely “compelled the group, for whoever is behind this, to start launching these attacks.” 

Truzman said he “suspect(s) this organization is being directed” and that there is “an entity behind it.” 

In response to the attack in Liège,Belgian officialsannounced increased protection measures.

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“To protect our Jewish community, we aredeploying military personnelto support security on our streets.The safety of every citizen must be guaranteed,” Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken wrote on X Monday.“Antisemitism and hatred against Jews will never be tolerated.We will stand firm against it, always.”

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CANADA’S CARNEY UNDER PRESSURE TO ACT AFTER SYNAGOGUES SHOT AT IN LATEST ANTISEMITIC INCIDENTS

Police secure the site near a synagogue damaged by an explosion early on Monday, in Liege, Belgium, March 9, 2026. (Yves Herman/Reuters)

The move drew praise fromU.S.officials.

“Last week, I urged Belgian officials to adequately protect Jewish communities—thank you, Defense Minister Francken and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prévot, for stepping up with increased security measures,” Ambassador Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism at the Department of State, wrote, adding that he looks forward to working with Belgian counterparts “to safeguard the Jewish community.”

Under Secretary of State Sarah B.Rogers also welcomed the decision, calling it a rare example of action rather than rhetoric.

“We hear a lot of talk about combating antisemitism and other forms of hatred — but it’s satisfying to see practical action, like this, to guard the public square againstbrute terrorist violencetargeting Jews and others,” Rogers wrote on X.“Liberty in the tweets, order in the streets.”

Belgium long has maintained heightened security around Jewish institutions following past attacks, including the 2014 shooting at the Jewish Museum in Brussels that killed four people — one of the deadliest antisemitic attacks in the country’s modern history.

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Two women embrace near the scene of a terror attack outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester, England, Oct.2, 2025.(Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

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Still, Jewish organizations warn the current moment reflects a renewed and dangerous escalation.

“This criminal act against a Jewish house of worship is deeply alarming and part of a broader and troubling rise in antisemitic incidents and violent extremism across Europe,” the World Jewish Congress saidin a March 10 statement.

Follow her on X @efratlachter.Stories can be sent toefrat.com.