Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has refuted the claims in a letter which accused him of not taking antisemitism in Belgium seriously due to his stance on the war in Gaza.
In early April, Belgium’s two Jewish organisations – the CCOJB and the Forum der Joodse Organisaties – expressed concern over what they perceive as the country’s polarisation in relation to the conflict in Gaza.
They accused Prime Minister Alexander De Croo of showing "strong hostility" towards Israel since his visit to the country in November, alongside his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez.
On April 24, De Croo responded, asserting that "criticism of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s far-right government must be possible" without being reduced to overarching criticism of Israel.
The CCOJB and the Forum der Joodse Organisaties particularly worried about the importation of the conflict “at the highest level of the state” and lamented “the lack of true empathy” for the Jewish community. They deemed Belgium’s strategy for combating antisemitism inadequate, calling for the appointment of an independent national coordinator.
In his public response on Saturday, De Croo underlined that the government unreservedly condemns Hamas’s brutal attack. He also reiterated his insistence on the unconditional release of all hostages.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo meet in November. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
While appealing to Jewish organisations for understanding of the "misery befalling the Palestinian population in Gaza, where thousands of innocent civilians have been killed," the Prime Minister reaffirmed that anti-Semitism must be condemned under all circumstances.
De Croo underlines that he has taken seriously the increase in antisemitic acts in Belgium and elsewhere, pledging enhanced security measures to protect the Jewish community in the country. Moreover, De Croo expressed support for appointing the requested independent national coordinator.
"I staunchly challenge the strong hostility towards Israel that you attribute to me. I refute this claim, and even find it dangerous," he wrote.
He further emphasised that criticism of Netanyahu’s far-right government should be possible, "without ever being reduced to criticism of Israel. I will go further, asserting that we have a responsibility to critique a government where radical extremists endorse colonisation and population replacement."
The Prime Minister asserted that "the Israeli government has never presented a credible plan for a politically sustainable solution," and warned that "violence and massive repression lead to new and even greater radicalism."
"We need responsible and empathetic leaders in both Ramallah and Jerusalem to achieve a two-state solution and enduring peace," he concluded.
In Israel, the latest opinion polls show that a majority of the population is dissatisfied with Netanyahu and his government. Citizens across all parties want an end to the war in Gaza and a hostage deal with Hamas before it is too late. He refuses to take responsibility for his government’s failure on 3 October and objects to new elections which he would loose according to the polls.
