Belgium: Anti-Semitic insult on Knack magazine Facebook page

Following a piece on Israel (see below) on the Facebook page of Belgian magazine Knack, known for its anti-Israel editorial line, a reader Johan Vercarre posted a message in Flemish: "Vuule joden!", meaning "Dirty Jews!".

Mr. Vercarre had indicated that he worked for Belgocontrol, "an autonomous public company in charge of the safety of air traffic in the civil airspace for which the Belgian State is responsible". It is partly controlled by the State and its employees shouldn't be allowed to post racial slurs.

Joods Actueel, a Jewish publication based in Antwerp, contacted Belgocontrol.  But the comment was not removed.  When Joods Actueel asked for an explanation, it was told that appropriate measures had been taken. A further exchange of emails ensued in which Belgocontrol complained that it was being unfairly vilified...

An email was then sent to Mr. Renaud Lorand, Belgocontrol's chairman (with a copy to the Belgian League Against Antisemitism). Mr Lorand reacted immediately and condemned the offending comment unreservedly. The comment was removed yesterday - it had been posted on September 23.

There is a lesson to be learnt.  Anti-Semitism in its crudest forms has become acceptable and accepted in Europe.