Belgium politician runs against Islam
ANTWERP – The leader of an extreme right Belgian political party has told Jewish voters to vote for him because of the threat of Islam.
Filip Dewinter, the leader of Flemish Interest, made the remarks in an interview with Jewish Week reporters who called his party xenophobic and anti-Jewish.
He had previously referred to Nazi collaborator Staf Declercq as the “historical leader” of the Flemish Interest, Expatica reports.
Dewinter said the party is afraid of Islam and warned that “Jews will be the first victims.”
He said that is why Jewish voters should give him the nod in his bid for mayor of Antwerp, Belgium. [article]
in another piece…
BRUSSELS â?? Flemish Interest leader Filip Dewinter has called his extreme right party an “Islam phobic” organisation in an interview with the US daily newspaper ‘Jewish Week’.
Dewinter said Europe is becoming just as dangerous for Jews as Egypt or Algeria, turning blame away from his party to the Islamic faith.
He also said the Flemish Interest is no different than its predecessor, the Flemish Block, which was convicted for racism and xenophobia, newspaper ‘De Morgen’ reported on Wednesday…
“Yes, we’re afraid of Islam. The Islamisation of Europe is a frightening thing. If this historical process continues, the Jews will be the first victims. Europe will become as dangerous for them as Egypt or Algeria,” Dewinter said.
“So, I return your question. Should Jews vote for a party that wants to stop the spread of Islam in Europe?” [article]
in other news…
Belgium’s far-right Vlaams Belang party plans to advertise in Moroccan newspapers and magazines to discourage Moroccans from emigrating to Belgium, it said on its Web site on Saturday.
The opposition party also said it aimed to encourage integration by Moroccans already living in Belgium. Most of Belgium’s immigrant population originated from Morocco or Turkey.
“We want a halt to immigration. But as long as that is not in place we want to discourage foreigners from coming to our country, hence the campaign,” Filip Dewinter, a top Vlaams Belang leader [article]
A political platform in Europe embedded with a xenophobic belief that a religion is a threat to the existance of the state…
Where oh where have I heard that before?
Greetings from Finland,
I think the fact that the EU agreed to start negotiations with Turkey with regards to it joining the bloc is a historical proof that EU is supporting Islam.
Rami, hello, I’m not speaking in regards to the EU but the possibility that being anti-islam is on the verge of becoming a new political platform in some European nations. Specifically here Belguim, where there over 300,000 Muslims.
People are entitled to their views as long as it is not hate speech but hate speech must be blatantly racist in a serious manner, like something published by fascists and white supremacists. As for commentary, it can be countered and there is a tradition of academic debate in the West that must be respected.