Connect with us

EU

#AalstCarnaval – European Commission says images like this should not be on our streets 75 years after the Shoah 

SHARE:

Published

on

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Aalst Carnaval

The Aalst Carnaval (23 February) parade has caused widespread offence with participants dressed as Nazi SS officers, Orthodox Jews depicted as insects and a ‘wailing wall’ for those who want to criticize the event, writes Catherine Feore. 

The three-day carnival before the start of Lent begins with a parade prepared by local inhabitants.  The festival has a tradition of mocking world events of the past year. The 600-year-old ritual draws thousands of spectators and is an important symbol of the town’s identity in the region. However, over many years there have been complaints about the use of antisemitic tropes.  

At the end of 2019, the Carnaval was removed from the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity because it no longer complied with Article 2 of the Convention which stipulates that "consideration will be given solely to such intangible cultural heritage as is compatible with existing international human rights instruments, as well as with the requirements of mutual respect among communities, groups and individuals". 

Daniel Schwammenthal, director of the American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) Brussels-based Transatlantic Institute, said: “In this shameful moment, the world’s eyes are on Belgium. As the Flemish and federal Belgian authorities refused to prevent this grotesque public display of antisemitic hate – and in some cases even outright supported it – the European Union should immediately launch an investigation. 

“It’s incomprehensible that 75 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, such vile displays of antisemitism are allowed to happen in the heart of Europe. The anti-Jewish costumes incited hatred, spread conspiracy theories, and ridiculed Jewish customs and traditions. With very few exceptions, Belgian political leaders have been inexplicably silent in the face of this shameful parade.”  

The parade comes just weeks after the EU marked the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.  In her speech, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, said: “We have a duty to stand shoulder to shoulder with Jewish communities as they feel again threatened across Europe. All EU member states stand united in the determination that any form of racism, antisemitism and hatred have no place in Europe and we will do whatever it takes to counter them. State authorities, as well as actors from across all sectors of civil society should unite to reaffirm Europe's unfaltering vigilance whenever and wherever democratic values are threatened.” 


In December 2018, the European Council approved a declaration on the fight against antisemitism and the development of a common security approach to better protect Jewish communities and institutions in Europe. The declaration was meant to reassure Jewish communities who feel threatened by an increase in violent antisemitic incidents.  

Answering a question on whether there would be an EU response, EU Reporter was told by European Commission Spokesperson Adelbert Jahnz said that it was self-evident that such scenes should not be seen on European streets. He said that it was, however, up to the national authorities to take action, but it was added that politically the EU’s position was very clear.  

Share this article:

EU Reporter publishes articles from a variety of outside sources which express a wide range of viewpoints. The positions taken in these articles are not necessarily those of EU Reporter.

Trending