Trending Now - Belgium Sends Military to Secure Jewish Sites Amid Rising Antisemitism

WHO:

Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken

U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Bill White

Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon

Joe Truzman, senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Under Secretary of State Sarah B. Rogers

World Jewish Congress

WHAT:

Belgium deployed military personnel to protect Jewish sites nationwide.

An explosion occurred at a synagogue in Liège, Belgium, on March 9, 2026.

The explosion caused damage but no injuries.

Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyya claimed responsibility for the synagogue explosion and other attacks.

The Belgian government announced increased security measures following the attack in Liège.

Belgian officials stated that soldiers will assist law enforcement in guarding synagogues, schools, and community centers.

WHERE:

Liège, Belgium

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Greece

Brussels, Belgium

Antwerp, Belgium

Rome, Italy

WHEN:

March 9, 2026 - Date of the explosion at the synagogue in Liège.

March 15, 2026 - Date when Israel’s Foreign Ministry made a statement regarding the attacks.

March 18, 2026 - Date of the CBS News article update.

WHY:

The deployment of military personnel was prompted by a rise in antisemitic incidents across Europe.

The attack in Liège was described as a "despicable antisemitic act" targeting the Jewish community.

The war in Iran has been linked to a rise in antisemitic incidents.

HOW:

Military personnel will provide support to police in guarding Jewish sites, offering both deterrence and rapid response capabilities.

Increased security measures were announced by Belgian officials in response to the synagogue attack.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 17:24 UTC)

Belgium has deployed military personnel to protect Jewish sites nationwide following a synagogue explosion in Liège on March 9, which, while damaging, resulted in no injuries. This decision comes amid a rise in antisemitic incidents across Europe, with officials describing the attack as a "despicable antisemitic act" targeting the Jewish community. Military support will assist law enforcement in securing synagogues, schools, and community centers, providing both deterrence and rapid response capabilities.