Willy Demeyer, the mayor of Liège, characterized the incident as an “antisemitic act,” stating that investigators believe the attack was intentional. Prime Minister Bart De Wever expressed solidarity with the Jewish community on social media, asserting that antisemitism constitutes an attack on societal values that must be combated unequivocally. Interior Minister Bernard Quintin described the event as a “despicable antisemitic act” that directly targeted Belgium’s Jewish community.
Police established a security cordon around the site immediately following the explosion, closing the adjacent street to facilitate the investigation. Specialized counter-terrorism personnel and bomb disposal experts were deployed to the scene to examine the area. While the precise cause of the explosion has not yet been confirmed, early indications suggest the incident may constitute a terrorist offense. The federal prosecutor’s office, which handles terrorism and organized crime cases, is leading the inquiry into the incident.
Rabbi Joshua Nejman, who represents the Liège synagogue, stated that an explosive device was either planted or thrown outside one of the building’s main doors. The force of the blast destroyed the door and surrounding windows, though the rabbi noted that the structure did not sustain further significant damage. Residents in the vicinity reported hearing a loud bang that shook their windows; some initially suspected a gas leak before realizing it was an explosion. One local resident, who has lived in the area for decades, expressed concern but stated that the community had previously experienced no such issues.
Community and Political Response
Jewish leaders in Belgium voiced deep concern following the attack. Yves Oschinsky, president of the Coordinating Committee of Jewish Organizations in Belgium, condemned the explosion as an “extremely disturbing, serious, and worrying antisemitic act.” Eitan Bergman, a vice president of the organization and a former member of the Liège synagogue, described the incident as deeply shaking for the city’s small Jewish population, noting the personal significance of the building to many community members.
Official authorities have emphasized that security measures around similar sites will continue and may be strengthened in response to the incident. Interior Minister Quintin noted that security services had already been in a state of high vigilance in recent days due to concerns over potential threats motivated by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Demeyer added that the city cannot allow foreign conflicts to be imported into its streets, reiterating the strong condemnation of the act by local and federal officials.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the specific method used to deploy the explosive device and to identify those responsible. No arrests have been announced, and prosecutors have not provided further details regarding the suspected perpetrators or their motives. The legal classification of the act as a terrorist offense remains under review by the federal authorities as evidence is gathered from the scene.
