The European Commission (EC) has strongly condemned anti-Semitic representations that a group paraded during the carnival of Aalst, asking Belgium to "take the necessary measures ".
"It should be obvious to all that portraying such representations in the streets of Europe is absolutely unthinkable, 74 years after the Holocaust," said the Chief Spokesperson of the EC, Margaritis Schinas, when the topic was raised at the daily press briefing.
"It is the responsibility of the national authorities to take the appropriate measures on the basis of the applicable law," he added, repeating that the EC strongly condemned any manifestation of anti-Semitism.
On Monday, the Coordinating Committee of Jewish Organizations in Belgium (CCOJB) and the Forum der Joodse Organisaties (FJO) denounced the presence of stereotypical puppets and silver-filled chests in the carnival parade of Aalst.
In response to the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe, the EC recently appointed a coordinator for the fight against anti-Semitism, which liaises with Jewish communities and strengthens collaboration with organizations working in this field. Member States have also recently recommitted to this end.
The Brussels Times
