A Belgian court has acquitted author Herman Brusselmans of charges of Holocaust denial, racism, and incitement to hatred, despite widespread condemnation from Jewish organisations over his violent antisemitic remarks. The ruling, which cited freedom of expression, has sparked concerns about rising antisemitism and the legal system’s failure to protect Jewish communities, reports The Jerusalem Post.
In August 2023, Brusselmans wrote in Humo magazine, „I get so furious that I want to ram a sharp knife through the throat of every Jew I meet.”
He also described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a „small, fat, bald Jew” who wanted to „wipe out the entire Arab world”.
The column was condemned by Jewish groups, Belgian officials, and Israel’s ambassador to Belgium, Idit Rosenzweig-Abu, who questioned whether similar remarks targeting Muslims would have been tolerated.
Brusselmans defended himself by claiming he used irony and exaggeration to express frustration over the war in Gaza, but Jewish groups dismissed this as dangerous incitement.
Despite the violent nature of Brusselmans’ statements, the Ghent Criminal Court ruled that his freedom of expression protected the remarks. The judge acknowledged that Jewish readers could be offended, but maintained that his comments fell within the boundaries of „artistic and political commentary”.
The ruling emphasised that freedom of speech is a fundamental pillar of democracy, even when controversial or provocative.
Jewish groups strongly condemned the ruling, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent and legitimises antisemitic hate speech.
Rabbi Menachem Margolin, President of the European Jewish Association (EJA), called the verdict „deeply alarming”, stating, „Today, the Belgian justice system has set a grave precedent: hate crime laws are flexible – and when it comes to Jews, they suddenly become malleable.”
He warned that the ruling effectively allows someone with a large readership to openly call for violence against Jews without legal consequences.
Michel Kotek, Chairman of the Jewish Information and Documentation Centre, described the verdict as „a disgrace to Belgian jurisprudence”, arguing that Brusselmans has made repeated antisemitic statements since 1993.
The EJA has called on the Belgian government to introduce legislative reforms to close loopholes that allow such rulings, arguing:
„Freedom of speech does not include the freedom to spread hate and antisemitism.”
Despite his acquittal, Brusselmans still faces multiple legal challenges:
April 4: A Belgian court will decide whether he must stand trial over additional complaints linked to his column.
May 6: A separate case filed by three Holocaust survivors will be heard, accusing him of violating Belgium’s anti-racism and negationism laws.
Several Jewish organisations, including the Coordination Committee of Jewish Organisations in Belgium, have filed civil actions against him, arguing that his remarks contribute to a hostile environment for Jews.
The ruling has intensified concerns over antisemitism in Belgium, with Jewish leaders warning that legal protections for Jewish communities are being eroded under the guise of free speech.
Photo credit:JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images
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