Jews considering leaving Belgium due to rising antisemitism

An international conference against antisemitism focused on the spread of antisemitism within the judiciary, the media, politics and education.

After antisemitic cancellation

Belgian PM backs Israeli conductor

Belgian PM Bart De Wever attends a German orchestra's concert to support its Israeli conductor, Lahav Shani, after a Belgian festival disinvited them over Gaza war concerns.

Tens of thousands march in Brussels against Israel

Over 70,000 march in Brussels to support Palestinian Arabs, calling for sanctions against Israel.

Israel clinches EuroBasket spot after thrilling win over Belgium

Israel’s basketball team advances to EuroBasket’s final 16 after a 92-89 win over Belgium, led by Deni Avdija and Roman Sorkin. It's Israel’s first time past the group stage in over a decade.

Belgian hospital records 'Jewish' as allergy in 9-year-old's file

A 9-year-old girl’s medical file at a hospital in Knokke, Belgium listed 'Jewish (Israeli)' under allergies, prompting legal action and ethical condemnation.

Belgium to recognize 'Palestine', impose sanctions on Israel

Belgian Foreign Minister announces his country will recognize “Palestine” and impose sanctions on Israel over its actions in Gaza. The move includes sanctions on Israeli “settlements” and support for a two-state solution.

Belgian PM pledges sympathy and respect for the Jewish community

Rabbi Menachem Margolin, Chairman of the European Jewish Association (EJA), welcomes Belgian PM Bart De Wever's support and moving message to the European Jewish community

Report:

Hamas-aligned attacker allegedly stabs critic at Brussels protest

Eyewitnesses allege Hamas supporter stabbed anti-Hamas demonstrator during Brussels protest, prompting investigation into suspected internal Palestinian tensions.

Over terror support

Belgium strips refugee status from Samidoun leader

Belgium revokes the refugee status of Mohammed Khatib, coordinator of Samidoun, citing his support for terrorism and extremist groups. Jewish leaders applaud the move.

UK, allies urge immediate Gaza ceasefire

Joint declaration by UK, EU official, and 25 nations denounces humanitarian conditions in Gaza, criticizes Israeli policy, and urges immediate ceasefire and hostage release.

Following arrest of Israelis:

EJA condemns Belgium's "distorted and flawed moral compass"

European Jewish Association criticizes investigation as politically driven, warning it legitimizes extremists and undermines democratic values.

Watch:

Jewish spiritual message echoes at music festival opening

Israeli duo Vini Vici opens Tomorrowland set with spiritual message from Rabbi Shlomo Yehuda Be'eri, known as the 'Yanuka.'

Dangerous precedent:

Two Israelis arrested in Belgium for 'war crimes'

Two Israelis, including an IDF soldier, attending Tomorrowland were briefly detained by Belgian police after a legal group accused them of war crimes in Gaza; both were released and left the country.

Jewish leaders & doctors

'Stop the criminalization of Jewish circumcision in Belgium'

The European Jewish Association (EJA) has launched an urgent and coordinated campaign to defend Brit Milah following police raids and pending prosecutions of registered Jewish Mohalim in Antwerp, Belgium.

Diaspora Minister:

'UK and Belgium have fallen, Jews must leave'

Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli issued a stark warning to Jewish communities in the United Kingdom and Belgium to 'get up and leave.'

Sa'ar responds to Belgium:

'Obsessed with Israel even when we fight an existential threat'

Israeli Foreign Minister responds to Belgian Deputy PM Maxime Prévot's call for sanctions on good made in Judea and Samaria during the conflict with Iran.

Deputy Knesset Speaker:

'Severe infringement' on Jewish religious freedom in Belgium

Deputy Knesset Speaker, MK Rabbi Moshe Roth, urgently appeals to Belgian Ambassador and FM Sa'ar following seizure of milah instruments in Antwerp

Watch:

Belgian PM answers reporter who accused Israel of genocide

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever did not stand by when a reporter claimed that Israel was committing 'genocide.' 'That's normally something for the International Criminal Court to decide.'

Belgian court acquits antisemitic columnist

A Ghent court has ruled that Herman Brusselmans did not cross criminal boundaries with his comments against Jews and the war in Gaza.

Under new government

Belgium adopting pro-Israel policy

According to the coalition agreements, Belgium will impose sanctions against Palestinian Arab incitement, support the fight against the Iranian nuclear program, and work to stop Hamas funding within its territory.

Due to threats:

Minister Amichai Chikli forced to cancel visit to EU Parliament

Due to concrete warnings and following the instruction of the security authorities, Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli had to cancel his visit to the European Parliament in Brussels.

Belgian gov't panel:

Deportation trains 'collective responsibility' of gov't & public

Belgium’s railway should apologize but not pay for sending Jews to Nazi death camps, government panel concludes.

Brussels:

Schools refuse to participate in Holocaust memorial event

Two schools in Anderlecht say they will not participate in the ceremony for Belgian Holocaust victims because they do not wish to impose discussion of the Holocaust on children given the situation in the Middle East.

Belgian haredi MP appointed to new position

Michael Freilich, haredi member of the Belgian parliament and a member of the Antwerp City Council, appointed as diplomatic envoy of European Jewish Association (EJA) for issues of antisemitism and Holocaust remembrance.

Belgium:

Teens attack Jews to free Palestine

Footage with the hashtag '#FreePalestine' shows youth violently assaulting a young religious Jew in the streets of Antwerp.

Israeli President welcomes five new ambassadors to Israel

Israel's President Isaac Herzog receives diplomatic credentials of new ambassadors from Belgium, Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden, and Papua New Guinea.

Banning Israelis:

Belgium has betrayed the Jews, but it is next

Leon de Winter: "Hamas wanted to convince young people that the massacre of Jews was not a crime, but a consecration of the Prophet and that robbery and rape were permitted means of struggle." Op-ed.

EJA comments:

Removal of antisemitic article 'much too little, much too late'

European Jewish Association comments on Humo magazine's decision to remove author Herman Brusselmans' antisemitic article inciting to murder of Jews, promises lawsuit will continue 'until justice is properly and meaningfully served.'

Belgian author:

Gaza war makes me want to 'ram a sharp knife' into every Jew

A popular Belgian author wrote he wanted to ‘ram a sharp knife’ through every Jew he meets. He says it was satire.

After anti-Israel vandalism

Israeli youth team banned from sports competition

The Israeli U-17 ultimate frisbee team was banned from the European Youth Ultimate Championships in Belgium after the venue where they were scheduled to play was vandalized with anti-Israel graffiti.

Following election results:

Belgian Prime Minister announces resignation

Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announces his resignation after right-wing parties achieve success in both local elections as well as the elections for the European Parliament.

Belgium:

Jewish PM's campaign signs defaced with swastikas

Signs for Jewish MP Michael Freilich were defaced by unknown suspects. The pro-Israel candidate has been subjected to rampant incitement by anti-Israel elements as elections approach.

French police:

'Suspects in vandalism of Holocaust memorial fled to Belgium'

French prosecutors say three suspects in last week's defacement of the Paris Holocaust memorial were tracked across the border into Belgium.

After Israeli man assaulted:

Israeli Embassy in Belgium files complaint

Israeli Embassy in Belgium files complaint with the Mayor of the city of Bruges, demands the suspect in the attack of 64-year-old Israeli Amnon Ohana be brought to justice.

Watch:

Israeli father and daughter attacked in Belgium

The assailants noticed Amnon Ohana, 64, and his daughter Shira, 29, removing an anti-Israel sticker and attacked the two.

Reward for info on death of US ambassador's granddaughter

The boat did not stop after hitting Ella Adler, granddaughter of the US ambassador to Belgium, and a $20,000 reward was offered for info which led to the arrest of a suspect.

Due to war in Gaza:

Belgian PM calls for sanctions on Israel

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo calls for coordinated action within the European Union to impose trade sanctions on Israel, particularly on products originating from “settlements”.

Hamas controls the streets of Europe

When I defined Belgium as “Europe's first Muslim state” a year ago, it was not hyperbole. Opinion.

Diaspora Min.:

Everyone has right to self-determination, except Jews

'Iran's direct missile attack removed any doubt about its intentions, even for the last of the skeptics, the masks are off,' Diaspora Minister, Amichai Chikli, says at NatCon in Brussels.'

'Free the girls first'

Brother of kidnapped soldier sends message to Belgian FM

Salem Alatrash, brother of kidnapped soldier Mohammed Alatrash, meets Belgian Foreign Min., urges her to push for hostages' release.

'Bring them home'

Belgian MP's response to anti-Israel disruption

Jewish MP Michael Freilich had a response ready when anti-Israel demonstrators disrupted the Belgian Parliament and threw flyers at the MPs while chanting 'stop the genocide.'

Belgium:

Four arrested over planned terror attack in Brussels

Police in Belgium arrest an adult and three underage individuals suspected of plotting an attack against a concert hall in Brussels.

Belgian MP rebukes minister for Nazi comparison

Belgian MP Michael Freilich denounced a minister in his government for comparing Israel to Nazi Germany.

WJC denounces kosher slaughter ban in Belgium

Maram Stern, executive vice president of World Jewish Congress, warns of the detrimental effects of ruling on religious freedoms for Jewish and Muslim communities.

European Jewish Congress:

'Dismayed' by ECHR ruling to uphold shechita ban

Decision to uphold Belgium shechita ban raises serious question regarding whether Jews have a future in Europe, European Jewish Congress says.

Belgian minister confirms Hamas operates in Belgium

The Belgian Justice Minister has confirmed that Hamas is allowed to operate in Belgium under the guise of organizations that do not directly expose its involvement.

Paris attacker transferred from Belgium to France

Salah Abdeslam, who was sentenced to life in jail over 2015 Paris attacks, removed from his Belgian prison cell and transferred back to France.

Due to safety concerns:

Israeli team to play Belgian team in empty stadium

Maccabi Haifa to play Belgian soccer club in front of empty stadium due to safety concerns amid Israel-Hamas war.

Belgium:

Police stop bus over 'terrorist' conversation

Belgian police stop bus coming from France after a passenger reports hearing a conversation about a possible attack.

After US sanctions:

Belgium announces ban on 'extremist settlers'

Belgian Prime Minister announces that “extremist settlers” will be barred entry, one day after US announced similar sanctions.

'Giving a tailwind to terror'

Belgian and Spanish ambassadors to be reprimanded

Netanyahu and FM Cohen criticize Belgian and Spanish Prime Ministers who levelled accusations at Israel hours before hostage release.

85 Jews graves vandalized in Belgian cemetery

Security increased at Belgian Jewish institutions after unknown vandals steal Stars of David from Jewish graves in city of Charleroi.

Minister of Foreign Affairs:

'Belgium turning a blind eye to Hamas’ crimes'

Turning a blind eye to Hamas’ crimes is disregarding Israel's right to defend itself against a terrorist organization worse than ISIS.

Belgium:

Palestinian Arab arrested for planning suicide attack

Palestinian Arab asylum seeker arrested in Brussels after allegedly talking about planning a suicide attack.

Report:

Terror attack against Israeli Embassy in Brussels foiled

Four teens with Islamist ideologies allegedly planned to set off a car bomb outside the embassy after murdering police officers.

Belgium: Police shoot man suspected of murdering two in Brussels

Suspect is of Tunisian descent and was in Belgium illegally, sources say.

2 killed in terrorist shooting in Brussels

Man shouts 'Allahu Akbar' while opening fire on tourists in Belgian capital. Suspect still at large.

Iranian activists face campaign of intimidation in Europe

The regime uses a wide variety of means to try and silence critics even outside its borders.

Iranian journalist sues Jewish Belgian politician

The lawsuit comes after the two exchanged tweets regarding Belgium's relationship with Iran.

Belgian court sentences 2016 Brussels terrorists

Men found guilty of involvement in 2016 Islamist bombings in Brussels handed sentences ranging from 20 years to life in jail.