MEDIA STATEMENT
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council mourns the victims of the murderous attack at the Jewish Museum in Brussels on the weekend and joins prayers for the full and speedy recovery of the wounded.
“Our first thoughts are with the victims and their families and we hope that effective actions by authorities in Belgium and across Europe will prevent the possibility of the recurrence of such vile, violent action,” Jeremy Jones AM, AIJAC Director of International and of Community Affairs, said today.
“The attack was shocking, and it was additionally distressing to hear that many Belgian, and Western European, Jews were not surprised that it took place, against the backdrop of anti-Jewish rhetoric and incitement from a number of sources, including far right, extreme left and radical Islamist groups,” he added.
“It is vitally important that the perpetrators are apprehended and punished and it is also essential that Europeans and others take time to reflect on the reality of antisemitism today and what it means for the heart and soul of that continent and the world in general,” he concluded.
