top of page
Search

StandWithUs Inspires a love for Israel in Belgium During September 2019

Updated: Oct 3, 2019


At events held in Brussels, Belgium on September 24 and 25 showcasing diversity and co-existence in Israel, representatives from diverse communities that form the Israeli multi-cultural society spoke of their connection to Israel and the shining example of co-existence that it is. The events were organized by the Belgian Friends of Israel and and EIPA (European Israel Public Affairs).


Speakers included Shadi Khalloul - an Aramean Christian;,Sara Zoabi - an Arab-Israeli Muslim and Riad Hassoun - a Druze from Dalyiat Al-Karmel.


Representing StandWithUs Israel was Director of Operations Ilana Sherrington-Hoffman, who explained  the story of the Jewish people through their connection to Israel, their history of persecution , their perseverance and finally, their return to their ancestral homeland. Her family's history is an example - they suffered for their Jewish heritage in Poland, Spain and Iraq - and finally, they immigrated to Israel.



Combatting antisemitism in Belgium Ilana Sherrington-Hoffman also spoke to a packed auditorium of hundreds of students and community members - Jewish, Muslims and Christians - about the alarming rise of antisemitism in Belgium.

This is not a minor issue: the Belgian Centre for Equal Opportunities reports handling 101 cases of antisemitism in 2018alone – vandalism, Holocaust denial and verbal abuse, and a rise in conspiracy theories and Nazi rhetoric.


In March of 2019, in a street celebration in the city of Aalst, a carnival float paraded giant puppets of Orthodox Jews and a rat atop money bags. Belgian prosecutors dropped a case against a cafe owner who welcomed dogs, but not Jews. Belgian journalist Dimitri Verhulst wrote a column in De Morgen joking about Jews’ noses and accusing Israelis of stealing Palestinian land.


She urged the audience that, if they oppose antisemitism, believe in co-existence, and dream of a peaceful future, to stand up for Israel when there are attempts to bring it down, and instead advocate for dialogue, respect and cooperation.

Comments


StandWithUs

StandWithUs (SWU) is an international and non-partisan Israel education organization that inspires and educates people of all ages and backgrounds, challenges misinformation and fights antisemitism.

guidestar_platinum_seal_of_transparency.
charity navigator.png

Fiscal Management: for the last eleven consecutive years StandWithUs has obtained the highest possible ratings from two preeminent rating agencies:

GuideStar and Charity Navigator

© 2025 by StandWithUs

bottom of page