Overview
- Interior Minister Bernard Quintin reversed a plan to withdraw 16 federal officers from the district that was set to take effect on January 1.
- The federal contingent represents roughly half of the on-site protection and consists of Brussels-based officers assigned as temporary reinforcements.
- Quintin proposed using military personnel to support local policing at Jewish sites, though no legal framework is in place and the idea faces political pushback.
- Antwerp Mayor Els van Doesburg and Jewish groups condemned the initial withdrawal, highlighting heightened concerns after the deadly Hanukkah attack in Sydney.
- The NSPV police union warned of staffing strains for Antwerp’s force under threat level 3 and objected to assigning soldiers to civilian security roles.