The Coordinating Committee of Belgian Jewish Organizations (CCOJB) reacted Monday against chants chanted during the demonstration against the annexation of Palestinian territories, organized in Brussels on Sunday. The committee denounces “calls for war against the Jews in the streets of Brussels”.
The CCOJB is scandalized that a group of demonstrators shouted “Khaybar, khaybar, Ya ya’ud, jaysh Muhammad sawfa ya’ud” (“Khaybar, Khaybar oh Jews, the army of Muhammad will return”). This slogan refers to a battle between the early Muslims and the Jews in the 7th century.
“A symbol of Muslim domination over the Jews,” denounces the CCOJB, who recalls that the sentence had given rise to a criminal conviction, confirmed on appeal, for similar acts which had taken place in Antwerp in 2014.
“These slogans have nothing to do with freedom of expression. They are calls to hatred that make us ashamed and worry us,” said committee chairman Yohan Benizri. “We will challenge the political power on these facts, and work with all the actors, including in the legal world, to put an end to these unacceptable abuses. We are waiting for a citizen mobilization on this subject. Silence is violence”, he added.
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