Jewish safety restored as pressure halts dangerous rollback, exposing appeasement of extremists across Europe.
Belgium’s Interior Minister Bernard Quintin reversed a decision to withdraw federal police from Antwerp’s Jewish district, restoring vital security amid growing concerns over antisemitic violence. The move followed strong objections from Jewish leaders and elected officials, who warned that any reduction would create a dangerous security vacuum.
Earlier, Antwerp’s mayor had labeled the planned pullout “incomprehensible,” stressing that Jewish institutions remain prime targets across Europe. Quintin clarified that the officers were temporary reinforcements, yet reaffirmed that protecting Jewish life is a top national priority.
The reversal came after decisive pressure from Jewish MP Michael Freilich and the European Jewish Association, which welcomed the decision as a clear statement of state responsibility. For Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, the episode highlights a wider European pattern: hesitation and bureaucratic caution often embolden Islamist extremists, while Jewish communities are forced to fight for basic security.
Israel’s zero-tolerance approach to terror contrasts sharply with Europe’s frequent wavering, where threats linked to radicalized networks—often excused under political sensitivities connected to Palestinian causes and broader Arab-world pressures—continue to endanger Jews far beyond the Middle East.
