Israel Matzav

Near-pogrom in Antwerp

There was nearly a pogrom in Antwerp on Wednesday (December 31) after Hamas supporters attending a demonstration sponsored by the Arab European League entered the Jewish quarter of the City and rioted there. Antwerp is one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe (after London and Paris, I believe it is the largest).

Let's go to the videotape, and then I'll have more to explain what you're seeing.



Here's a translation of an article that appeared here.

Jews in Antwerp afraid after riots by league (AEL]

Many Jews in Antwerp did not go on the street Wednesday after the demonstration from the AEL against the war violence got out of hand.

There was considerable damage done

Also in the Diamantbuurt where many Jews live and work said the chief editor of the weekly Joodse Actueel, Michael Freilich. The Jewish community fears according to him to become victims of vandalism and violence. An internal sms agency from the community warned people to avoid the Diamantbuurt."

According to Freilach everyone is afraid that the situation could escalate. We have not experienced this since 2003. Freilich said that his telephone rang off the hook from worried people who don't know what to do,

According to another article translated on the same web page:

The demonstraters went on a rampage and destroyed car windows, trams, and buses. There were also fights with the police who had closed off the district.

The demonstration in Antwerp began around 2 o'clock in the afternoon. When the police dispersed the demonstration around an hour later the atmosphere was grave and the rioters turned in the direction of the Jewish district. The demonstration in Brussels was quiet.

But in Brussels, the Hamas flag was on display.

Jewish community incensed over Hamas-flag in Brussel

The Jewish community is extremely upset about the presence of Hamas-flags at the demonstration for the stopping of the bombardment of the Gaza Strip in Brussel. This was announced by Michael Freilach, the editor in chief of the monthly magazine Joods Actueel.

According to Freilach the green flag with the white text from Hamas is a symbol of a terrorist organisation and is forbidden in Belgium...

...Various protesters in Brussels carried the well known Hamas-flag. The Jewish community is very shocked that this was permitted.'Hamas is and remains an officially a not permitted organisation of terrorists' said Freilich. He doesnt understand why the organisisers of the protest march allowed the symbol, 11.11.11 must do something about this.It is also worth noting that the demonstrators protested against the violence on the Palestinians but that the suffering of Israel was not reported'.'

There is a great feeling of unease in the Jewish community. It is feared that the situation in Brussel can get out of hand as happened on Wednesday afternoon in Antwerp by a demonstration of the AEL.

Hey fellow Jews, it's been nice in Belgium for years but it's time to get out. Because when they refer to 'foreigners' they mean Muslims.

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posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 3:12 PM