Belgium, That Country Leading the Europeans To Hate Israel

 Nadene Goldfoot                                       

It has been known for a long time now that Belgium has had a section of it taken over by the Palestinians.  In fact, police were afraid to go into there.  Now, here's what they have done to Israelis:

• on 16 October 2023, 2 people were killed and one seriously injured in a terrorism-related shooting incident in Brussels
• in 2022, a police officer was killed and another injured in a suspected terrorist incident in Brussels

The Belgian authorities have successfully disrupted various attack plans, making a number of arrests in recent years. The Belgian government has set the national threat level at 3 ‘Serious’. You can expect to see an increased police presence, and additional safety measures may be in place. Be aware of your surroundings and follow the advice of local authorities. 

Belgium's population is around 11.8 million, but specific, exact figures for Palestinians within Belgium aren't readily available as they're often counted within broader ethnic/nationality groups or as asylum seekers; recent data (2024) shows thousands of Palestinians seeking asylum there, making them a significant recent influx, notes the Brussels Times and Belgian News Agency. Total population figures vary slightly by source but hover around 11.7-11.9 million as of 2024/2025, according to World Population Review, the EU, and Statbel.

Since the relaxation of the Belgian nationality law, more than 1.3 million migrants have acquired Belgian citizenship and are now considered new Belgians. 89.2% of inhabitants of Turkish origin have been naturalized, as have 88.4% of people of Moroccan background, 75.4% of Italians, 56.2% of the French and 47.8% of Dutch people.^[28]

In 2007, there were 1.38 million foreign-born residents in Belgium, corresponding to 12.9% of the total population. Of these, 685 000 (6.4%) were born outside the EU and 695 000 (6.5%) were born in another EU Member State. 

"The Belgian city of Verviers has become the latest city in Europe to cut its “ties with the Israeli apartheid regime” to “strengthen its support for the Palestinian people.”

Liege to the east on the Sambre River.  Brusssels and Antwerp more to the north.  

Verviers follows the Belgian city of Liége, whose city council last month decided to end ties with Israel, citing its regime of “apartheid, colonization and military occupation.” Also, in April, Oslo (Norway) decided to exclude companies that directly or indirectly contribute to Israel’s illegal settlement enterprise, and in February, the mayor of Barcelona (Catalonia, Spanish state) decided to suspend institutional ties with apartheid Israel. Elsewhere, the mayor of Belém (Brazil) has recently declared the city an Apartheid Free Zone.

Belgium and Israeli towns are linked through diplomatic relations, recent Belgian government actions (like moving to recognize a Palestinian state and imposing sanctions on settlement goods), and protests in Belgian cities (such as Brussels, Antwerp, Liège, Verviers) calling for an end to Israeli actions in Gaza and support for Palestinians, with tensions rising over settlement expansion and alleged human rights violations in the West Bank. Belgian towns like Verviers and Liège have cut ties with Israel, while national policy includes banning imports from settlements. 

Key Developments & Actions

• Recognition of Palestinian Statehood: Belgium's Foreign Minister announced plans for Belgium to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN, contingent on Hamas's removal and hostage release, a move welcomed by Palestinians but drawing Israeli criticism. (It would appear to be a reward for October 7, 2023 and other terrorist activities; not obeying the agreement of giving up arms.  
• Sanctions & Boycotts: Belgium plans sanctions, including banning imports from illegal Israeli settlements, following actions by cities like Verviers and Liège to sever ties with Israel.
• Protests: Large demonstrations in Brussels, involving tens of thousands, demand an end to the conflict in Gaza (they should be accusing Hamas, not Israel who is being attacked by Hamas,  and stronger action against Israel, with protesters feeling the government's recognition is insufficient.
• Settlement Concerns: Belgium's government condemned settler violence in the West Bank same thing; attacks first from Hamas and Hezbollah, and the expansion of settlements, viewing them as illegal and detrimental to a two-state solution. 
  
  
    Area C is officially for Israel and Hamas/Palestinian people have beenencroaching on it while they have Area A and half of B which is to be shared.  Area C is the far right strip of land.  

Specific Towns & Cities

• Brussels: A center for large pro-Palestinian protests and policy discussions.
• Antwerp: A location where peace flags were displayed in support of Palestine, according to news reports.
• Verviers & Liège: Cities that have cut institutional ties with Israel, citing apartheid and occupation. 

Broader Context
These actions reflect a growing international pressure on Israel, with Belgium joining other European cities and nations in taking stronger stances against Israeli policies in Palestinian territories, focusing on humanitarian crises and violations of international law.

              They must have introduced us to the Belgium Waffles
 

Belgium's history spans from Celtic tribes and Roman rule to becoming an independent nation in 1830, shaped by powerful neighbors, industrialization, and internal tensions between Dutch and French speakers, eventually becoming a founding member of the European Union and NATO despite invasions in World Wars I and II.

It’s hard to believe that such a small country can have three separate language zones (French, Dutch and German) and now you can add Arabic to the list. Most Arab and North African communities in Brussels are concentrated in specific municipalities, notably Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Schaerbeek, Anderlecht, and Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, which have large populations of Moroccan and Turkish descent, with Molenbeek often cited due to its high concentration and prominent Muslim community.

Resource:

https://bdsmovement.net/Verviers-Cuts-Ties-With-Apartheid-Israel#:~:text=The%20Belgian%20city%20of%20Verviers,the%20Palestinian%20struggle%20to%20%23DismantleApartheid!

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/belgium/safety-and-security#:~:text=on%2016%20October%202023%2C%202,country%20and%20affect%20international%20travel.