While several pro-Palestinian demonstrations marred by anti-Semitic incidents took place in recent days in Belgium, a rally of solidarity and support for Israel in its fight against Hamas terrorism in Gaza was attended by nearly thousand people on Sunday outside of the Israeli embassy in Brussels.
'' We came to express our full support to the only democratic state in the Middle East, which is Israel, but also to urge Belgian politicians not to let anti-Semitic slogans that sounded like in the worst years in Brussels, Antwerp and elsewhere ''Simon Bretholz, organizer of the first such rally since the start of Israeli Operation Protective Edge, told EJP.
'' The Jewish community is in danger when we hear ‘’Death to the Jews'' in the streets only two months after the anti-Semitic terror attack at the Jewish Museum in Brussels. This is unacceptable,'' he said.
He added:'' We are here today to proclaim our love and admiration for a nation that while missiles are massively fired at its cities and its villages it faces indifference, hatred, insults and lies in some diplomatic circles, in some media and in the streets around the world.''
''But we are also here to tell the world that the misfortune that has befallen the Palestinian civilian population is the result of the murderous madness of the Islamists they elected, Hamas. We lament and mourn all innocent victims of this conflict that Israel did not want but we are here to restore the honor of a country and an army constantly vilified,'' he said, stressing that'' the IDF, the most democratic, ethical and humane army in the world makes every effort to spare innocent victims in the enemy camp.''
A highlight of the rally was when a siren sounded twice ‘’like those constantly sounding in the sky of Israel whenever rockets are fired from Gaza. '' If it resonates today in Brussels, it is because it is an alarm signal for all of us, it is the siren of hatred,'' said Bretholz.
Emotion was palpable when memorial candles bearing the names of the 43 Israeli soldiers killed since the conflict began, were lit by members of Jewish youth movements but also by the Belgian uncle of one of the soldiers, Sergeant Eytan Barak, the first killed in beginning of Operation Protection Edge.
Israeli ambassador in Belgium, Jacques Revah, said Israel ''is not the enemy of the people of Gaza''. ''Everyone here understands who is responsible for this conflict.''
A minute of silence was observed and Rabbi Pinson recited the Kaddish, the Jewish prayer for the bereaved, in memory of the IDF soldiers.
The crowd then chanted 'Am Israel Chai' (Long live Israel) and ‘’Evenou Shalom Aleichem’’ (‘’We bring you peace’’) , waving Israeli flags. The rally ended with the Belgian and Israeli national anthems.