A Palestinian man was critically injured after criticizing Hamas at an anti-Israel demonstration in Brussels.
By Rachel Avraham
A 22-year-old Palestinian Arab man was critically injured Sunday evening after being stabbed during an anti-Israel demonstration in central Brussels, in what some reports allege may have been an attack by a Hamas supporter targeting the victim for criticizing the terror group, Arutz Sheva reported. According to the report, the attack occurred near Zaterdagplein, close to the Brasserie de la Poste on Lakensestraat, during a protest that drew hundreds of participants.
According to eyewitnesses, the anti-Israel protest began peacefully but quickly escalated after a dispute broke out, leading to a confrontation in which one person was injured with a knife. According to the Brussels Police Department, the suspect was apprehended at the scene. The injured person was immediately taken to hospital, where their condition is reported as stable.
One eyewitness told the media: “The demonstration began very calmly; people were simply voicing their opinions. Suddenly we heard an argument, and shortly after chaos broke out. The police intervened quickly, but by then someone had already been injured.”
The demonstration, which had been approved by the local municipality, began earlier in the day in Molenbeek and continued to Zaterdagplein, concluding outside the Brussels Stock Exchange, Arutz Sheva reported. According to the report, protesters called for sanctions against Israel and an end to the presence of Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria.
In a statement, the event’s organizers condemned the stabbing and said the attacker was not connected to the protest. The group posted on social media that “an unknown person, who had nothing to do with the event, mingled with the crowd and attacked a demonstrator.” Organizers of the demonstration described the event as “a regrettable and unacceptable act of violence.”
The Belgian Ministry of the Interior issued a statement stressing that “public safety is a state priority, and the investigation will be carried out in full transparency.” A spokesperson added that the incident will lead to reinforced security measures.
Political analysts argue that the incident in Brussels reflects growing social tensions across Europe. Professor Jan Vermeer of Brussels University commented: “This event raises questions not only about security but also about the healthy functioning of democracy. The right of people to assemble peacefully must be protected, but at the same time, safety mechanisms must be strengthened.” Experts suggest that the incident may prompt EU member states to review security protocols for demonstrations more comprehensively. The incident has sparked wide debate on social media. Many users condemned the violence and called on law enforcement to take stricter measures.
Joe Truzman, a senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Arutz Sheva that Palestinian channels on Telegram have been circulating video footage of the aftermath. According to these reports, the stabbing may have stemmed from internal Palestinian tensions, with the attacker allegedly being a Hamas supporter who stabbed the victim after he criticized the terror group during the rally.
The knife attack at the Brussels anti-Israel demonstration once again highlighted the importance of public safety in open spaces. The investigation is ongoing, and the results will be made public. Officials and experts agree that the incident is likely to prompt serious discussions about both security and public trust in the organization of future demonstrations.
Photo from Raccoonbox Production: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPxMfiKrfMg
