European Jewish Association (EJA) Initiates Legal Action Against Bob Vylan Following His Ancienne Belgique Performance
The European Jewish Association (EJA) has initiated legal proceedings following the 2 December performance of Bob Vylan at Ancienne Belgique, during which the artist led the crowd in chants of “Death to the IDF” and “Everybody hates the police,” while displaying a Samidoun-branded t-shirt — an organisation officially classified as terror-linked in several countries and undergoing formal designation procedures as a terrorist organisation in several additional countries where its activities have already been banned.
The investigating judge of the Brussels Court of First Instance today received the complaint filed by Belgian attorney Christophe Boeraeve and EJA legal counsel Adv. Shlomo Dahan, and authorised the opening of an investigation into Vylan’s performance for the following offences:
* Incitement to discrimination, hatred or violence;
* Dissemination of ideas based on racial hatred; assistance to a group promoting discrimination;
* Public provocation to commit a terrorist offence;
* Glorification of terrorism;
* Participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation;
* Provocation to commit offences against public authorities.
In Israel, the law requires every citizen to serve in the army, and therefore calls for the death of IDF soldiers are, by definition, understood as directed at every Israeli and every Jew.
The fact that thousands of Belgian citizens were incited and roused to call for the death of the overwhelming majority of Israelis, while hurling insults at the Belgian police, reflects a profound moral failure and a security threat that Belgian authorities must treat with utmost seriousness.
As Boeraeve and Dahan explain:
“Criticise Israeli policy as you wish. But leading thousands to call for the death of the vast majority of Israelis? That is not speech — that is pure incitement. Some might call it rock and roll — provocative performance art. But there is a line. Belgian law draws it clearly. When you lead a crowd to call for the death of people defined by their nationality, that line is crossed.”
In addition to legal action, the EJA has submitted an official complaint to UNIA, Belgium’s federal anti-discrimination authority, requesting that it investigate the incident and consider public and legal measures in response to the incitement witnessed.
Rabbi Menachem Margolin, Chairman of the EJA, stated:
“Freedom of expression is a pillar of democracy. We recognise it and we defend it. But when an artist leads thousands to chant for the death of others, when hostility toward law enforcement becomes normalised — a red line has been crossed. Belgian law marks that line clearly. Silence is not neutrality — it is complicity. We have initiated legal action and filed an official complaint with UNIA. We now expect the authorities to act. What occurred at Ancienne Belgique is not only a moral lapse — it is a threat to Jewish communities and to Belgian society as a whole, and it demands a firm response.”

We are proud to announce that Fernando Pessoa University in Porto has formally adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition of Antisemitism. This makes UFP the first university in Portugal to officially adopt the IHRA definition. The decision comes at a time when antisemitism is rising sharply across Europe and universities in particular face hostility that often hides behind political slogans. UFP has chosen clarity and responsibility.

The declaration signed with EJA commits the university to use the IHRA definition as a tool to prevent and combat antisemitism in all its forms. UFP pledges to monitor signs of hatred on campus and to promote initiatives that defend human rights. It also commits to integrating awareness of the IHRA definition into its code of conduct. These commitments are outlined in points 1 to 4 of the signed document.

The decision carries both symbolic and practical weight. UFP is known as one of the European universities with the highest proportion of Jewish students.

Rabbi Menachem Margolin, Chairman of the European Jewish Association, said:
“Fernando Pessoa University has shown leadership at a moment when it is needed the most. Many institutions hesitate, yet UFP chose action. Antisemitism cannot be ignored or excused. By adopting the IHRA definition, the university sends a clear message that Jewish students will be protected and respected. We welcome this partnership and hope it inspires others.”

Gabriel Senderowicz, President of the Jewish Community of Porto, said:
“This is a historic moment. It makes perfect sense that the first university in Portugal to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism is Fernando Pessoa University. UFP likely has the highest proportion of Jewish students of any university in Europe, with approximately 500 Jewish students. Over the past twelve years, the university has played an important role in the revival of the Jewish Community of Oporto – a result of the welcoming relationship it has maintained with its Jewish students throughout the years.”

Juan Caldés, EJA European Advocacy Coordinator, said:
“We are very happy that Fernando Pessoa University took this step. They see antisemitism for what it is and they refuse to be intimidated by those who spread hate. This creates a stronger and safer environment for Jewish students and for the entire academic community.”

EJA will continue to work with universities across Europe to encourage the adoption of the IHRA definition and to support students who face antisemitism.

Last week EJA hosted  delegation to Auschwitz of school principals and teachers from across Europe. After many years of bringing groups to this place, one thing has become very clear to us, the fight against antisemitism begins with education.

We cannot confront hatred without teaching its roots. We cannot expect children and young people to recognize antisemitism if they are not taught history, if they do not understand where unchecked hatred leads, if they do not know what antisemitism is. There is a saying that those who do not know their history are destined to repeat it, and the events of the past two years have shown us just how true this is.

This is exactly why we were there, to explain, to share, and to show. To stand with the people responsible for educating the next generation, to help them understand the reality we are facing today, and to ask for their partnership in ensuring that children and youth learn the history of our continent, and the history of Jewish life in Europe.

We wish to thank the school principals and teachers from across Europe who joined us for these two meaningful days of conference and the visit to Auschwitz Birkenau. Over these days we were able to speak about the realities of antisemitism, the importance of Holocaust remembrance, and the practical ways they can support the efforts to combat antisemitism today.

This year, our delegation to Auschwitz was more vital than ever. For over two years, Jewish communities across Europe and around the world have faced unprecedented levels of antisemitism, escalating from hate speech to physical violence and even murder. We have said it before: antisemitism did not end with the liberation of Auschwitz. It never died!

This year, we came to a painful realization: we can no longer simply ask, call, or plead with leaders to act against antisemitism. We cannot continue living behind walls, concrete barricades, and constant police protection around every Jewish institution. Stronger measures are needed, along with a new definition and framework of protection.

That is why this delegation was so vital. During this year’s gathering, EJA Chairman Rabbi Menachem Margolin called on Europe to finally recognize Jewish communities as a protected minority, with all the legal safeguards such recognition entails.

This year, we gathered in Krakow just days before the 87th commemoration of Kristallnacht ,the Night of Broken Glass, to honor the memory of the victims, to stand against hatred and antisemitism, to reject Holocaust denial and justification, and to say in one clear voice: the fight against antisemitism is not only a Jewish issue, it is a European one.

We wish to thank all our guests who traveled from near and far to join us , to listen, to remember, and to learn not only about the horrors of Auschwitz’s past but also about the troubling reality of today.

Our deepest gratitude goes to former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson for joining us in Auschwitz and for his steadfast support of the Jewish people and communities worldwide. We also thank our dear friends, partners, and every guest who continues to stand by us and support our efforts over the past two years and beyond.