Belgium Strengthens Military Guard at Jewish Facilities

The Belgian government announced on the 18th that it will strengthen military security for Jewish facilities following claims by an Iran-linked group. Harakat Ashbab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, an Iran-linked jihadist group, claimed responsibility for multiple attacks targeting Jewish facilities across Europe, including the explosion at a synagogue in Liège, Belgium, on March 9. Authorities are viewing this explosion as an attack targeting Jewish facilities and have significantly enhanced security.

The Belgian government has deployed military personnel to the streets to protect the Jewish community following the explosion at the Liège synagogue. Belgian Minister of Defence Theo Francken announced that troops would be deployed to protect the Jewish community.

US Ambassador to Belgium, Bill White, visited the scene of the Liège explosion on March 9. Yehuda Kaploun, the US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sarah B. Rogers, positively assessed the Belgian government's enhanced security measures.