Herman Briusselmans, a prominent Flemish novelist and columnist, has ignited controversy with a deeply antisemitic column published in Belgium's HUMO magazine. In his writing, Briusselmans accuses Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of murdering children and pushing the world towards a third world war.
Most alarmingly, he expresses violent intentions toward Jewish people.
"I am so angry that I want to push a sharp knife in the throat of every Jew I come across," he wrote.
This shocking statement has drawn immediate condemnation from Jewish organizations and public figures. The Union of Jewish Organizations in Europe (EJA) has called for Briusselmans' arrest on charges of incitement to murder and demanded his suspension from the magazine.
Israel's ambassador to Belgium, Idit Abu Rosenzweig, noted that such rhetoric crosses a dangerous line, especially in a country where Jews already report feeling unsafe.
The incident is part of a broader trend of rising antisemitism across Europe and worldwide. Recent reports from various organizations highlight the alarming increase in antisemitic incidents, particularly since Oct. 7, 2023.
- In Germany, the antisemitism monitoring group RIAS reported an 80% increase in antisemitic incidents in 2023, with the total number rising to 4,782 from 2,616 in 2022. A significant spike occurred after October 7, with 2,787 incidents recorded post-attack.
- France saw a dramatic increase from 436 antisemitic incidents in 2022 to 1,676 in 2023, while the United Kingdom experienced a rise from 1,662 to 4,103 incidents over the same period.
- Other European countries also reported substantial increases, including the Netherlands (from 69 to 154), Italy (from 241 to 454), and Austria (from 719 to 1,147).
- The United States recorded a record high of 8,873 antisemitic incidents in 2023, marking a 140% increase from the previous year, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
This escalation of antisemitism is not confined to a single ideological group. While historically associated with far-right extremism, recent years have seen antisemitic rhetoric emerging from the extreme left and radical Islamic groups as well. The normalization of such language in public spaces, including mainstream media, is particularly concerning to Jewish communities.
Jewish leaders emphasize the importance of distinguishing between legitimate criticism of Israel and antisemitism. They often refer to the "3D test" articulated by Natan Sharansky: demonization, double standards, and delegitimization of Israel. When criticism crosses these lines, it enters the realm of antisemitism.
The surge in antisemitic incidents is attributed to various factors, including the war in Gaza against the Hamas terrorist organization, the normalization of hate speech, and increasing political and social tensions. This climate of fear has led to increased concern among European Jews, with reports suggesting that in some countries, like Belgium, up to 70% of Jews fear for their safety.
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