Brussels, 27 January 2025 – In an open letter, leading Jewish associations and the Belgian League against Anti-Semitism have addressed the leaders of the upcoming Belgian government.
The letter, signed by the European Jewish Association (EJA), the Ligue belge contre l’antisémitisme (LBCA) and the Joods Informatie- en Documentatiecentrum (JID), outlines key concerns of the Jewish community that they hope to see addressed in the new coalition agreement. The letter is being accompanied by an extensive online communication campaign to highlight this action and to involve citizens in the initiative.
The letter highlights the need for increased security measures for Jewish institutions in light of the increased risk of attack, as identified by national security organisations. It calls for both temporary and structural reinforcements to ensure the safety of the Jewish community and implores the appointment of a federal security advisor to coordinate these matters.
The letter calls for the appointment of a special coordinator to combat anti-Semitism, an initiative already adopted by several European countries. This coordinator would be responsible for monitoring Jew hatred and developing strategies against this growing threat, particularly in view of the worrying increase in anti-Semitic incidents in Belgium.
As Europe continues to secularise, the letter underlines the importance of recognising and protecting religious freedoms. The Jewish community seeks assurances that its right to freedom of belief will continue to be respected and protected, and stresses the importance of constructive dialogue on sensitive issues.
The call to the new government is clear: take the concerns of the Jewish community seriously and integrate their needs into policy. The letter concludes with an invitation for partnership in the hope that, despite the tragedies of the past, the Jewish community can look forward to a dynamic future.
It is now up to the leaders of the coalition government in formation to respond to this call and to show that Belgium recognises and protects the value and contributions of its Jewish citizens.
Download the letter in PDF
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:8cd61633-824b-4f06-a19f-b8a607728615
This morning we woke up to the news of another synagogue attacked by fire, this time in the German city of Giessen. Security footage clearly shows a man who did not even bother to cover his face setting fire near a synagogue window while giving the Nazi Hitler salute. There is no doubt that this was an antisemitic attack, following the same pattern of synagogue attacks we have seen over the past two years since October 7.
Only yesterday, police in the United States identified the suspect who set fire to the only synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi, over the weekend. In the last two years, 21 synagogues have been set on fire, and an alarming number of synagogues have been targeted with hatred, vandalized with swastikas and antisemitic messages, used to harass worshippers, or turned into focal points for antisemitic protests. Tragically, people have also been murdered while praying.
We are following this growing pattern with deep concern. In many parts of Europe, synagogues must be heavily guarded, with many requiring constant police presence and security measures that resemble airport security rather than places of worship just so Jews can pray.
Against this reality, we are deeply concerned about the possibility that burning synagogues is becoming a trend, driven by both left wing and right wing antisemites. It is now clear that the current security measures are not enough to stop the out of control hatred directed at the Jewish people. We are calling on western leaders to increase the security measures and make sure all Jewish institutions are safe.
We are calling on EU leaders to treat antisemitism as an emergency, as we have been calling for many months.
In response to the attack against the synagogue, Mr. Lawrence de Donges – Amiss – Amiss, EJA member and Vice-Chairman of the Jewish Community of Giessen, has stated; “this was never a question of if, but when. For those of us who are visibly Jewish and who confront antisemitism every single day, life has changed radically over the past years.
We are grateful to have a dedicated Chief of Police who provides every possible means of support. However, this cannot end there. The responsible ministry must urgently rethink and strengthen personal security measures for Jewish representatives and communities. The current reality demands immediate and decisive action.”
The European Jewish Association (EJA), a leading umbrella organisation representing the interests of Jewish communities across Europe, is calling for a revision of the procedures surrounding commemorative moments in the Flemish Parliament. This follows a recent moment of silence held in memory of a former parliamentarian who had been previously convicted of Holocaust denial.
The controversy emerged after the Flemish Parliament observed a moment of silence for Roeland Raes, a former parliamentarian for the far-right Vlaams Blok party, who was convicted in 2008 for denying the Holocaust. Raes, who passed away at the age of 90, was a co-founder of the radical-right group Voorpost and served in both the Senate and the Flemish Council, the precursor to the Flemish Parliament. His commemoration prompted strong protests from left-wing parties, which walked out of the session in objection.
Rabbi Menachem Margolin, Chairman of the EJA, has formally requested Parliament Speaker Freya Van den Bossche to review the current regulations and establish clear criteria for such commemorations. “A moment of silence is a powerful symbol and should be reserved for individuals who uphold the values of our democratic society. It is inappropriate to honour individuals convicted of serious offences such as Holocaust denial or other major crimes,” stated Margolin.
The letter underscores the moral responsibility of parliament and highlights that citizens’ trust in democratic institutions can be undermined when such commemorations occur. “The Flemish Parliament must remain a beacon of integrity and justice, which requires clear guidelines to determine who can and cannot be commemorated,” Margolin added.
This request comes at a particularly poignant time, ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on 27th January and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. “This day reminds us of the ongoing duty to remain vigilant and to show respect for the victims of genocide,” Margolin said.
In addition to calling for procedural reforms, the letter also proposes holding a moment of silence during the first plenary session after 27th January, in memory of the victims of the Nazi regime and the 25,000 deported Belgian Jews.
The letter was co-signed by Federal MP Michael Freilich, who also serves as the EJA’s envoy for Holocaust remembrance. Freilich, the only Jewish member of the Belgian Federal Parliament, stressed the importance of ensuring that such painful incidents do not recur in the future.
Margolin urged the Speaker to address this matter with the gravity it deserves and to take the necessary steps within parliament to prevent similar situations from arising again.
