In the wake of the knife attack in the northern French town of Arras, Antwerp Mayor Bart De Wever has reached out to Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden, requesting federal support.
A young Russian of Chechen origin fatally stabbed a teacher and injured three others in Arras on Friday. France elevated its security level in response, expressing concerns that the Israel-Hamas conflict might spill over.
At this time, Belgium's threat level remains unchanged, but Mayor De Wever revealed that Antwerp's police force is on high alert. The city is home to a Jewish community of approximately 20,000 people.
"I have also just sent an email to Annelies Verlinden, asking for federal support. This can be accomplished in various ways, and I will discuss this with her because we anticipate that we will need to maintain this heightened state of readiness for an extended period," he stated.
De Wever further clarified an earlier statement about his stance on Israel, emphasizing that his support for Israel and opposition to terrorism should not be misconstrued as a choice against the Palestinians.
"This is the worst act of terrorism since 9/11, the most devastating attack on Jews since the Holocaust," De Wever asserted. "You are aware of the hardships this community has endured, and you stand in solidarity with them in your city. At such times, you must be willing to express your position clearly."
The Antwerp mayor disclosed that he plans to meet with a delegation of Palestinian residents from Antwerp next week, intending to engage in a dialogue and convey that their stance against Hamas and terrorism does not imply opposition to them. Photo by Miel Pieters, Wikimedia commons.