BRUSSELS, March 24 (Reuters) - Two minors were arrested during the night between Monday and Tuesday in connection to an arson incident in Antwerp in a suspected antisemitic act, a Belgian official
Car torched in Antwerp in suspected antisemitic attack, says Belgian official
By Lili Bayer
Antisemitic Attacks and Security Measures in Europe
Incident Overview in Antwerp
BRUSSELS, March 24 (Reuters) - The torching of a car overnight in Antwerp, for which two minors were arrested, is being treated as a suspected antisemitic attack, a Belgian official said on Tuesday.
Recent Surge in Antisemitic Incidents
European countries including Belgium, the Netherlands and Britain have witnessed incidents targeting the Jewish community since the United States and Israel launched their war on Iran on February 28.
Security Response in Belgium
Belgium on Monday deployed soldiers on the streets of its biggest cities to bolster security at Jewish sites including synagogues and schools.
Investigation Details
A spokesperson for the Antwerp prosecutor said an investigation was under way, and that the two suspects had been arrested shortly before midnight on Monday, moments after the attack.
Role of Social Media Evidence
They said a video circulating on social media that purportedly showed the arson attack appeared authentic and was part of the investigation. Reuters did not independently verify the video.
Other Related Attacks Across Europe
Over the past two weeks, synagogues have been attacked in Liege, Belgium, and in the Dutch city of Rotterdam, as well as a Jewish school in Amsterdam. In Britain, counter-terrorism officers are leading an investigation into an attack on Jewish community ambulances.
International Reactions
"There must be a thorough investigation and decisive action to put an end to this climate of intimidation before it spirals further," Israel's ambassador to Belgium, Idit Rosenzweig-Abu, said on X.
Claims of Responsibility
The SITE Intelligence website said an Iran-aligned multinational militant collective called Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand had claimed responsibility for the attack near a synagogue in Golders Green, London.
It said the group had been behind the fires in Liege, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
Ongoing Police Investigations
Mark Rowley, London's police chief, said the claim was one of the lines of inquiry being pursued.
(Reporting by Lili Bayer and Inti Landauro; editing by Richard Lough and Kevin Liffey)
