Belgian authorities suspect that a fire at a Brussels synagogue on Tuesday was a result of arson, the 'Belga' news agency reports.
Three people were injured by inhaling smoke from the fire, which broke out on the second floor of the synagogue in the eastern suburb of Anderlecht and was first reported at around 6:30 am. Initial evidence points to arson, according to the fire services and prosecutors. The exact circumstances and reasons for the criminal act were not known, nor had the perpetrators been identified.
The incident comes after a man shot dead four people at the Jewish Museum in Brussels in May.
The sole suspect, Mehdi Nemmouche, is awaiting trial in Belgium. The 29-year-old dual French-Algerian national is believed to have spent time fighting alongside jihadist groups in Syria. The incident compounded fears in Europe that European extremists returning from battle in Syria could mount attacks on home soil.
“This attack demonstrates once again that attacks against Jews is not because of what we say or support, but simply because we are Jews," said European Jewish Congress President Moshe Kantor in reaction to the incident. “I hope the police will not just find the perpetrators but that the authorities will give them a severe punishment to act as a serious deterrent to others who see Jewish communities as legitimate targets."
