An explosion damaged a historic synagogue in the Belgian city of Liège early on Monday, in what was likely a terror attack.
No casualties were reported, though the explosion blew out the windows of the synagogue and those of a building across the road. The cause of the explosion, which happened around 4 a.m. local time, was unknown at the time of writing.
Belgium’s federal prosecutor’s office, which is in charge of the investigation, told The Jerusalem Post that there were indications the explosion was a terrorist offense. It declined to comment further at this stage.
Police cordoned off the street, while a specialized counterterrorism team investigated the incident in the presence of the Belgian Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Destruction Service.
Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin called the explosion “an abject antisemitic act that directly targeted Belgium’s Jewish community.” He announced that security measures around similar sites would be heightened.
Liège Mayor Willy Demeyer told public broadcaster RTBF that the act was “intentional and targeted.”
Liege mayor condemns antisemitic act
“We condemn this antisemitic act as strongly as possible,” he said, adding, “We cannot allow foreign conflicts to be imported into our city.”
Yves Oschinsky, president of the Coordinating Committee of Jewish Organizations in Belgium, told Belga News Agency that the blast was “an extremely disturbing, serious, and worrying antisemitic act.”
CCOJB Vice President Eitan Bergman, who grew up as a member of the Liège synagogue, said he was “deeply saddened and shocked.”
“This building, where I have so many memories and which saw me grow up... Fortunately, there are no victims to mourn, except for the ‘cité ardente [Liège]’ and its tiny Jewish community, now shaken to its core.”
Bergman called on all deputies from all parties to “act to meet the demands of the European Commission” by adopting a national strategy for Belgium to combat antisemitism and preserve Jewish life and appoint a coordinator to lead this mission, which already exists in 25 of the 27 EU countries.
US Ambassador to Belgium Bill White said, “[US] President Donald J. Trump, Secretary Marco Rubio, and the United States of America stand with the Jewish families of Liège and all Jewish families in Belgium.”
The Liège synagogue was designed by architect Joseph Rémont and consecrated in 1899.
The Post reached out to the CCOJB for comment but has not yet received a response.