Antwerp Hosts International Symposium on Antisemitism Amid Rising Concerns for Belgian Jewry

Antwerp Addresses Future of Jewish Community Amidst Rising Antisemitism

Antwerp, Belgium – An International Symposium on Antisemitism was recently held in Antwerp, bringing together over 300 participants to deliberate on the pressing question: 'Is there a future for Jews in Belgium?' Organized by the Jewish Information and Documentation Centre (JID), the event underscored growing concerns within the country's Jewish community following a significant increase in antisemitic incidents. The symposium's timing reflects a period of heightened anxiety, with many Belgian Jews reportedly considering emigration due to safety concerns.

Escalating Antisemitic Incidents in Belgium

The symposium took place against a backdrop of a sharp rise in antisemitic acts across Belgium. Data from Unia, Belgium's independent public body fighting discrimination, revealed 91 reports related to the Israel-Hamas conflict between October 7 and December 7, 2023. This figure significantly surpassed the 57 reports recorded for the entirety of 2022, with 66 of the 91 incidents explicitly identified as antisemitic. Furthermore, a record 144 antisemitic incidents were reported in Belgium in 2023, marking the highest number since monitoring began in 2001.

Surveys highlight the pervasive nature of this issue within the Jewish community. A 2024 survey conducted by IPSOS Belgium for the Jonathas Institute indicated a disturbing persistence of antisemitic sentiment. Separately, 97% of Jews in Belgium have reported encountering antisemitic situations in their daily lives, with 70% concealing their Jewish identity in public and 54% avoiding certain locations out of fear of attack. Ralph Pais, vice-president of the JID, noted that while Belgian Jews, numbering approximately 30,000, once lived peacefully, this has now become a daily concern, leading many to consider leaving for countries like Israel or the United States.

Distinguished Participants and Key Discussions

The symposium attracted a diverse array of speakers and attendees, including prominent figures from politics, academia, and religious communities. Notable participants included Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, Belgian philosopher Maarten Boudry, Dutch law professor Afshin Ellian, French imam Hassen Chalghoumi, and British columnist Zoe Strimpel. Also present were HaRav Pinchas Padwa of Antwerp's Shomrei Hadas community and Israeli Ambassador to Belgium Idit Rosenzweig-Abu.

Discussions at the event focused on the root causes and various manifestations of rising antisemitism across different sectors, including the judiciary, media, and politics. Speakers emphasized that antisemitism is not merely a Jewish issue but poses a broader threat to democratic values.

Call for Action and Future Strategies

The symposium concluded with a strong call to action, urging policymakers to implement concrete measures to combat antisemitism. These recommendations included:

• Stricter enforcement of hate crime laws
• Development of educational initiatives to promote tolerance
• Enhanced security for Jewish institutions

Participants also stressed the importance of fostering interfaith dialogue and community engagement to build bridges and counter divisive narratives. Rabbi Menachem Margolin, chairman of the European Jewish Association, highlighted that 2025 is a critical year for European Jews and called on governments to take serious, concrete actions beyond verbal condemnations.