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Acquittal of Belgian Author Highlights Growing Antisemitism
Belgian author Herman Brusselmans was acquitted for antisemitic remarks published in Humo magazine on August 6, 2024, due to a lack of intent to incite hatred under Belgian law; this highlights a concerning lack of public and political response to antisemitism in Belgium, exacerbated by linguistic and cultural divisions.
- How do linguistic and cultural divisions within Belgium contribute to the spread of antisemitic views and the muted response to incidents like the Brusselmans case?
- Amselem's investigation reveals a concerning lack of condemnation of antisemitic acts in Belgium, contrasting sharply with reactions in other European countries. A May 2025 Jonathas Institute poll indicated that over one-third of Belgians believe eight common antisemitic stereotypes, and only 5,000 Belgians protested against antisemitism compared to 182,000 in France. This, coupled with government officials' refusal to label Hamas a terrorist organization, points towards a larger problem.
- What factors contributed to the Belgian court's acquittal of Herman Brusselmans, and what are the broader implications of this decision for addressing antisemitism in Belgium?
- Following the publication of hateful remarks by author Herman Brusselmans in the August 6, 2024, edition of Humo magazine, a Belgian court acquitted him in March. The judge determined that Brusselmans lacked the intent to incite hatred or violence against the Jewish community. This sparked concern, highlighted by journalist Rafaël Amselem, regarding the lack of public reaction to antisemitic statements in Belgium.
- Considering the historical context and societal factors, what steps can be taken to effectively combat the multi-layered nature of antisemitism in Belgium, and how can Belgium address the rising antisemitic sentiments?
- The acquittal of Brusselmans, based on the Belgian legal requirement to prove specific intent to incite hatred, highlights a key difference from French law. This lenient approach, combined with linguistic and cultural divisions between Flemish and Francophone media, allows antisemitic views to spread unchecked. The October 7, 2024, events acted as a catalyst, increasing antisemitic incidents significantly, according to Unia, the interfederal agency against discrimination. This suggests a need for legal reforms and increased public awareness to combat the rising tide of antisemitism.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the acquittal of Herman Brusselmans as a central problem, highlighting the lack of strong public condemnation. This framing emphasizes the severity of antisemitism in Belgium and minimizes other perspectives or potential explanations for the lack of response. The headline 'Belgium: Laboratory of Antisemitism?' is framed to suggest a strong assertion rather than a question to be investigated.
Language Bias
The article uses strong language at times, such as referring to the lack of response as 'a challenge to understanding' and describing the situation as having 'a bad wind blowing'. While this adds emphasis, it risks shifting from objective reporting to editorial opinion. Terms like 'nazifying Israel' are strongly charged and could be replaced with more neutral phrasing like 'criticizing Israeli policies'.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the acquittal of Herman Brusselmans and the lack of public outcry in Belgium, but omits discussion of potential mitigating factors or alternative perspectives on the legal decision. It also doesn't explore the broader societal context beyond Belgium, preventing a complete comparison of antisemitic trends across Europe. While acknowledging limitations of space, the omission of these factors leaves the reader with a potentially unbalanced view.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic dichotomy between the Belgian and French responses to antisemitism, potentially overlooking nuances and complexities in the social and political landscapes of both countries. The framing of Belgium as a 'laboratory of antisemitism' might be an oversimplification, ignoring the varied forms and intensities of antisemitism across different European nations.
Sustainable Development Goals
The acquittal of Herman Brusselmans for expressing violent antisemitic statements undermines efforts to combat hate speech and protect vulnerable communities. The lack of strong public condemnation and the apparent normalization of antisemitic views in certain segments of Belgian society highlight weaknesses in promoting justice and fostering inclusive institutions. The article details the insufficient response to rising antisemitism, including the lack of strong legal consequences for hate speech and the limited public condemnation of antisemitic acts. This points to a failure of institutions to effectively uphold peace and justice, particularly for the Jewish community.