Authorities in Belgium have condemned an early-morning explosion outside a synagogue in Liège, describing the incident as a serious act of anti-Semitism.
The blast occurred shortly before 4 a.m. on Monday outside the synagogue in the eastern Belgian city. Although no injuries were reported, the explosion damaged windows in buildings located opposite the place of worship.
Police cordoned off the area and established a security perimeter around the site while investigations into the incident continue.
The Mayor of Liège, Willy Demeyer, strongly condemned the attack, describing it as an act that contradicts the city’s tradition of tolerance.
“The mayor and the city council express their total condemnation of this extremely violent act of anti-Semitism, which is contrary to the Liège tradition of respect for others,” Demeyer said, according to the Belga News Agency.
He also cautioned against importing international conflicts into the city, referencing the ongoing war involving Israel, the United States and Iran.
Reacting to the incident, the president of the Committee of Jewish Organisations in Belgium, Yves Oschinsky, described the blast as deeply troubling.
According to him, the explosion represents “an extremely disturbing, serious and worrying anti-Semitic act.”
Security agencies have yet to determine the cause of the explosion as investigations continue.
