People marching through Dublin city center during a pro-Palestinian march to Leinster House on January 27, 2024 (Photo: Reuters via PA)
Belgian Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt confirmed this week that the terrorist organization Hamas is active in Belgium.
“So far we know that Hamas is active in Belgium through various companies. The activities (…) are focused on lobbying and fundraising,” the justice minister said. affirmed.
His comments were in response to a question raised by Michael Freilich of the New Flemish Alliance party about the presence of Hamas operatives in Belgium. Freilich, a Jewish lawmaker in Belgium’s lower house of parliament, asked Tighert how Hamas could be allowed to operate in Belgium and whether Belgium could intervene to stop Hamas.
according to According to the German news agency Judissche Allgemeine, there have been long-standing suspicions that Hamas is “developing an extensive network of supporters” in Belgium, but this is the first time the government has acknowledged the allegations.
The confirmation came after Van Tigchelt said in January that there was “no concrete indication that Hamas has targeted our country.”
In his response, the justice minister did not mention the names of the various Hamas shell companies, but he did mention the European Palestinian Political Relations Council, EUPAC.
EUPAC was established in Belgium in 2022 with the formal purpose of raising the “Palestinian issue” with politicians and European institutions. Brussels is home to some of the European Union’s most important institutions, including the European Commission and the Council. According to the Allgemeine Ministry of Justice, “EUPAC operates from the prestigious address of Ronde Point Schumann 6, a stone’s throw from the European Commission and her EU Council.”
Belgium’s justice minister also brought up the name of British-Palestinian activist Majid al-Shir, who German authorities say is Hamas’ senior leader in Europe and responsible for the terrorist group’s activities in Europe. It is said that they are adjusting the
“Spiegel names Al-Ziel ‘head of Hamas’ in Germany and all of Europe” Daily Mail I have written In December 2023.
according to For Van Tigchelt, al-Zir, despite his name, served as EUPAC’s secretary general. It does not appear EUPAC is listed in the Belgian register of listed companies and entities.
There is reportedly no information from the Belgian government on how to deal with Hamas’ presence in the country.
Mr Freilich called on the Belgian government to act immediately.
“We need urgent and tougher action from our government. The terrorist organization Hamas has been fundraising and lobbying in Belgium. Hezbollah was previously known to have done the same. Will it become a center of international terrorism?” Posted To 𝕏.
By December 2023, a private letter signed by Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Tsikri was sent to 20 European leaders warning Europe of the Hamas threat. The letter contained evidence of Hamas terrorist activities and PFLP (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine) operatives in major European cities.
“Weeks have passed since the atrocities committed by Hamas against infants, children, the elderly, and thousands of Israeli citizens. This is no time for ambiguity. We want to make this clear. “Hamas has proven that their goal is to kill Jews everywhere,” Tsikli said. I have written.
“Since the genocide, there has been a 120% increase in calls for violence against Jews around the world. This is a shocking statistic. Unfortunately, Hamas’s murderous intent is not limited to Israel and Jews, but also to Europe and “It has also spread to Christians. Let us recall that in the past Hamas members have expressed Islamic intentions to conquer Europe,” he added.