World Jewish News

Israeli Minister Azulai in Brussels: 'All political parties are committed to the peace process'

One of the main reasons that prevented peace between Israel and the Palestinians sor far lies in the fact that Palestinian children are educated and incited against Israel in schools on a daily basis, said Israeli Minister of Religious Services, David Azulai, during a short official visit to Brussels on Wednesday.

‘’We all know that whatever we started at a young age remains with us forever,’’ he told a meeting with representatives of Jewish organisations to discuss the various challenges that the European Jewry faces nowadays and to provide a briefing on the situation in Israel.

Israel’s ambassador to Belgium, Simona Frankel, also attended the meeting organized by the European Jewish Association (EJA).

‘’Jewish education is based on great values of giving, sharing and helping, loving each other…that’s why people grew up with those values. However when the other side gives completely other education, that is one of the biggest issues that prevent and allow yet the peace process to proceed.’’

He said that all political parties represented in the Israeli government ‘’are committed to the peace process.’’ However not everything is in the government’s hands. It is like a wedding: you need both a bride and groom otherwise you cannot have the wedding. ‘’

‘’When the last government was put together it was very clear that one of the most fundamental values would be to join forces and support the peace process.’’

‘’You will be able to hear this directly from Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he will be in Brussels (next month) as it is planned,’’ Azulai added.

‘’The voices that come from Brussels are very important for the international community,’’ he said.

He also stressed that the Israeli government is also very much worried about the situation of anti-Semitism in Europe ‘’which is growing.’’ ‘’Anti-Semitism could begin with people who have different opinions but when they will start to express their opinion, it could be out of control.’’

He noted that a Jewish child who grew up in Israel cannot really feel anti-Semitism on a daily basis while Jewish children who live and study in Europe could feel different kinds of anti-Semitism ‘’which of course impact their lives.’’

‘’Your Jewish organistions here play a very important role for the State of Israel and in the fight against anti-Semitism.’’

During his visit, the minister was due to have meetings with Belgian officials – including the President of the Parliament – to discuss the issue of anti-Semitism as well as ritual slaughter and circumcision, two Jewish religious customs which have been under attack in Belgium and other countries in Europe.

Earlier this year the Walloon Parliament in the southern region of the country voted to ban Shechita, the Jewish ritual slaughter of animals. Similar legislation has been proposed by the parliament in the northern Flanders region.

‘’We cannot accept that on the name of animal welfare ritual slaughter will be forbidden in Europe. The Torah first mentioned this ideal of animal welfare. Anyone who knows a bit the law of ritual slaughter knows how much people who perform this custom are careful to avoid any suffering to the animals. Those who try to forbid ritual slaughter either don’t know this Jewish custom or they have other intentions,’’ the minister said.

‘’I hope that we will be able to change the decision in Belgium and abroad.’’

EJP