Belgian security forces cordoned off the Grand Synagogue in central Brussels after a bomb threat was received, local media report.
The central Rue de la Régence was shut to traffic shortly after 6 a.m. this morning, the Brussels Times reports.
Security forces confirmed that the synagogue was targeted, and established a security perimeter and diverted traffic in both directions between Sablon and Place Poelaert, according to the report.
The chief rabbi of Brussels, Albert Guigui, said police asked him not to go to the synagogue in the morning while they investigated. He said he was optimistic the house of worship would reopen later in the day.
Antisemitic activity has risen in Belgium since Hamas launched its war against Israel on October 7, 2023. About 20,000 Jews live in Brussels, out of some 40,000 living in Belgium today.
Is our live election coverage important to you?
Are you relying on The Times of Israel for accurate and timely coverage of the 2026 Israeli election? If so, please join The Times of Israel Community. For as little as $6/month, you will:
- Support our independent journalists who are working around the clock to report political developments as they unfold;
- Read ToI with a clear, ads-free experience on our site, apps and podcasts; and
- Gain access to exclusive content shared only with the ToI Community, including our DocuNation series and weekly letters from founding editor David Horovitz.
Join The Times of Israel Community
JOIN NOW
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You're a dedicated reader
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
