Following recent violent attacks against Israelis in Amsterdam by Muslim rioters, pro-Palestinian activists are now circulating videos on social media showing assaults on Orthodox Jews in Antwerp.
While these attacks occurred approximately two weeks ago, the footage is only being released now, apparently in solidarity with the Amsterdam attackers.
In addition to this, Antwerp police arrested five people yesterday (Sunday) after social media posts called for a "Jew hunt" in the city's Jewish quarter, just days after violent attacks on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam.
The threats targeted areas around Harmoniepark, prompting police to flood the neighborhood with officers and launch drone patrols. Shmira, the Jewish community's private security team, also deployed about 20 officers as backup.
"We picked up five people, some of them minors," police spokesman Wouter Bruyns said. All were released before midnight, though police are still investigating what they were planning.
The threats seem to be copycat attempts following Thursday's violence in Amsterdam, where groups attacked Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in town for a football match.
Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt showed up in person to check on security and later met with worried Jewish community leaders. Police kept the threats quiet from local residents to avoid panic, focusing instead on catching any potential troublemakers.
Jewish MP Michael Freilich isn't taking any chances - he's calling for soldiers to patrol Jewish neighborhoods. Meanwhile, officials aren't risking a repeat of Amsterdam - they've already moved an upcoming Belgium-Israel match away from Brussels.
