The Israeli Football Team. Photo
The municipal government of Brussels announced on Wednesday that the upcoming UEFA football match between Belgium and Israel cannot be held in the city, The Arab Weekly reports on June 19th. The decision is due to security concerns and the likelihood of protests.
The city of Brussels considers it impossible to organise a Belgium-Israel match in the King Baudouin Stadium,
– it was said in a statement.
After a careful and in-depth analysis, we must conclude today that the announcement of such a match in our capital in these particularly troubled times will undoubtedly lead to large demonstrations and counter-demonstrations, jeopardising the safety of spectators, players, Brussels residents and our police forces.
The UEFA Nations League match is set for September 6, 2024. Israel’s war in Gaza has triggered global demonstrations, including in Belgium, where pro-Palestinian activists have organised sit-ins at universities and protests. This has led some Belgian universities to partially or completely sever ties with Israeli institutions.
The Belgian government has criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza but has not yet recognized Palestine as an independent state.
Caroline Gennez, Belgium’s Development Minister, recently called on the government to be a “pioneer” and recognize the state “now.”
Gennez wrote on X:
A full-fledged Palestinian state is the only path towards peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis.
Read more: Netanyahu Dissolves War Cabinet
The Arab Weekly and agencies