2023-11-15 18:23:00
The House of Representatives is more divided than ever on the Israeli-Palestinian question. This divide is no longer confined to the traditional left-right divide. Among the Flemish liberals, a very critical tone towards Israel’s military response has been emerging for some time, notably through the voice of Egbert Lachaert.
The former president of Open VLD, the Prime Minister’s party, had already stood out during an interview given to La Libre at the beginning of November. Tuesday, in the Foreign Relations Committee, the Flemish liberal delivered a message which shocked several deputies.
During the hearing of Israeli Ambassador Idit Rosenzweig – Abu, Egbert Lachaert accused Israel of being “creating polarization in the Western world” with their way of fighting Hamas.
“We respect the trauma of October 7, which can be compared to September 11 in the United States. […] The question is how we can allow civilians to coexist peacefully. Sadly, I must say that I agree with many of my colleagues that the reaction since the attack is such that it reinforces terrorism, extremism and radicalism.”
Egbert Lachaert considers the bombings on the Gaza Strip counterproductive. “Hamas’ attack can never result in thousands of children dying. You must use other techniques to restore peace.”
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You are creating polarization in the Western world. There are Jews among us who are threatened because of this.
According to the liberal, Israel’s response fuels anti-Semitic resentment in the West. “You are creating polarization in the Western world. There are Jews among us who are threatened because of this. It concerns us how we can stop this radicalization. This can only be done by stopping the conflict and stopping showing these images of civilians who are affected.”
The MP for Merelbeke then hit the nail on the head by positioning himself in a debate which is tearing parliament apart, namely the broadcast of images of the massacres of October 7. “As long as you show these images, radicalization and frustration will only increase. You are fighting against Hamas, but how do you plan to fight them with bombings when you know that Hamas leaders are not in Gaza?”
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