Against an international backdrop marked by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its repercussions in Belgium, Georges-Louis Bouchez, MR President, wishes to reaffirm his party's firm and resolute stance in the face of rising antisemitic acts and the spread of hate speech.
While acknowledging that certain actions by the Israeli government may spark debate and criticism, Georges-Louis Bouchez firmly states that Hamas remains a terrorist organisation and that Israel must retain the legitimate right to defend itself against targeted attacks.
The MR President warns that recent anti-Israeli demonstrations in Belgium reflect a "blurring of the norm" in the public sphere. He believes that while freedom of expression remains a fundamental pillar of democracy, it can never serve as a pretext for hatred or the glorification of terrorism. Georges-Louis Bouchez denounces the trivialisation of certain slogans and the diversion of political debate towards virulent forms of antisemitism, which rightly worry Belgium's Jewish community.
In the face of rising antisemitic acts since 7 October and the resulting sense of insecurity, the MR reaffirms: protecting the Jewish community is a republican duty, and combating antisemitism an absolute priority. "There is no freedom without security, and no living together without mutual respect". He stresses that any attack on the Jewish community, disguised as geopolitical debate, represents a challenge to the fundamental values on which our society is built.
The MR President also highlights the legislative progress achieved under the new government, particularly by Interior Minister Bernard Quintin, which recently made it possible to ban radical organisations such as Samidoun on national territory. It was no longer acceptable for a group with established ties to terrorism to continue fuelling hatred in Belgium under the guise of humanitarian action. While this progress marks an important step, the President believes there is still essential awareness-raising work to be done, particularly with the media, to ensure these issues are handled responsibly and clearly.
The fight against antisemitism and the defence of living together cannot be limited to the legal framework. "The MR will remain a force of responsibility and courage against all attempts at division, intimidation and radicalisation". At a time when our values are being challenged, our party stands more than ever as a bulwark for freedom, civil peace and mutual respect among all citizens.