Simon Wiesenthal Center Denounces Desecration of Jewish Cemetery and Surge in Anti-Semitic Attacks in Belgium

November 24, 2023

Belgian authorities urged to conduct full investigation

The Simon Wiesenthal Center expresses its profound concern and condemnation following the desecration of at least 85 Jewish graves in Charleroi, Belgium. This heinous act, discovered by a gravedigger in the Marcinelle neighborhood, has been rightly condemned by Charleroi Mayor Paul Magnette as an anti-Semitic attack, given the targeted destruction in the Jewish section of the cemetery and the theft of numerous Stars of David.

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, the Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action for the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and Daniel Schuster, Senior Representative of Europe, stated, "This is not an isolated incident but a chilling manifestation of a broader trend of rising anti-Semitism in Belgium. Since October 7, 2023, there have been 231 recorded antisemitic attacks in the country. Each of these attacks is not just a statistic but a blatant assault on the Jewish community and our collective memory."

The Simon Wiesenthal Center urges the Belgian authorities to conduct a full and thorough investigation into this act of vandalism and to bring those responsible to justice. It is imperative that all steps are taken to safeguard Jewish institutions, including schools and places of worship, which have seen increased police monitoring due to the recent uptick in anti-Semitic incidents.

For further information contact the Center’s Communications department at pressinquiries@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations in the United States. It is an NGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the OAS, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino).