Belgium To Remove Federal Police Security In Antwerp, Mayor Blasts ‘Incomprehensible’ Decision

NEW YORK (VINnews) — Police security provided by the federal police in the Jewish quarter of Antwerp will be discontinued after January 1, according to a decision by the Belgian government, as reported by the Belgian news site VRT NWS. Antwerp Mayor Els van Doesburg described the decision as “incomprehensible” during an appearance on a talk show, while Interior Minister Bernard Quintin confirmed the move but stressed that securing Jewish sites remains a “top priority.”

The decision concerns 16 federal police officers who have been assisting in protecting the quarter, accounting for half of the force assigned to this mission, which has been carried out on a 50–50 basis between the federal and local police. Van Doesburg warned of the creation of a security vacuum and noted that the Jewish community has been under an elevated threat level nationwide since 2014. According to her, the issue requires cooperation and cannot rest solely on the shoulders of the Antwerp police.

The Interior Minister explained that the deployment of the federal reserve in Antwerp was never intended to be a permanent measure, and that the officers, who were assigned as a temporary reinforcement, will be returned to their original base in Brussels.

Quintin expressed support for deploying military personnel at sites connected to the Jewish community in order to support the local police and free up additional capacity, a move for which there is an understanding between him and Defense Minister Theo Francken. However, a legal framework for this has not yet been established, and the proposal has encountered opposition from a Flemish coalition partner in the government. The minister promised that security would continue without reduction under the management of the local police.

The NSPV police union criticized the decision, calling it strange given the current threat level of 3 and the international context, including the recent attack in Australia. Timmy Claessens of the union noted that the Antwerp police are already facing a manpower shortage, and that if federal support is withdrawn, the local police will likely have to forgo other duties in order to continue properly securing the quarter. The union also expressed opposition to using the military for civilian security tasks.

Regina Sluszny, chairwoman of the Forum of Jewish Organizations, responded sharply, saying the situation is “terrible” and that the community will not feel safe. Against the backdrop of the Hanukkah holiday, Sluszny said there must be no fear, but she senses concern within the community. She emphasized that the identity of the security force matters less than ensuring that security is maintained at a 100 percent level and not reduced to 80 percent. According to her, a strong deterrent presence of police or military forces is required, especially to ensure the safety of children.