BRUSSELS — Soldiers were deployed in major Belgian cities Monday to strengthen security around Jewish sites following a series of antisemitic incidents, officials said.

The move comes after an explosion earlier this month at a synagogue in Liege that authorities described as an antisemitic attack.

Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken said troops were returning to the streets in Brussels and Antwerp to help protect the Jewish community.

“Safety is a basic right,” Francken said in a post on X.

Officials said the increased security is a response to rising concerns following recent incidents in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Belgium deploys soldiers to city streets to provide extra security to the Jewish community following what officials said were antisemitic attacks in Belgium and the Netherlands https://t.co/a0VQO0vFlL pic.twitter.com/vYZD1OybcH

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 23, 2026