Belgian Police Question Man Over Antisemitic Threats on X

Police in Belgium have questioned a young man from the Limburg region after a video circulated on social media platform X in which he stated he wanted to kill all Jews. The suspect, who claimed to be 18 years old, was identified and traced by local detectives following a formal complaint from the European Jewish Association (EJA). He was released after questioning, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Background

The incident began when the man participated in a video conversation on X with a representative of the European Jewish Association, a Brussels-based advocacy organization representing Jewish communities across Europe. During the call, the suspect made several antisemitic statements in English, declaring that he has “an aversion to Jews” and that he “wants to kill them all,” according to Het Laatste Nieuws. The EJA subsequently filed a complaint with police in Beringen.

Local detectives from Politiezone Regio West-Limburg — a police force covering Beringen, Ham, Tessenderlo, and Heusden-Zolder — swiftly identified and traced the suspect. After being questioned, he was released pending further investigation. The young man also mentioned where he attends school in the video, though authorities have not disclosed whether this will lead to additional consequences.

Rising Antisemitism in Belgium

The case has reignited concerns about the growing prevalence of antisemitism in Belgium, a country that has seen a significant increase in antisemitic incidents since 2023. According to UNIA, Belgium’s independent public body for combating discrimination, 2025 remained a record year for antisemitic reports. The organization received 192 reports and opened 70 formal dossiers related to antisemitism last year. The majority of cases involved hate speech (46%), followed by negationism (32%) and hate crimes (17%).

The most common domain for antisemitic incidents was media — particularly social media — which showed a strong increase. UNIA notes that the rise in reports since 2023 is linked to international events, particularly the Israel-Hamas conflict, with a dangerous conflation observed between Belgian Jews, the State of Israel, and Israeli government policies.

Data from the ADL Global 100 Index further underscores the scale of the problem. According to the Stop Antisemitisme / ADL survey published in March 2025, 22% of Belgian adults hold antisemitic views — significantly higher than neighboring countries such as the Netherlands (6%), France (15%), and Germany (16%).

A Pattern of Incidents in 2026

This latest case is part of a troubling pattern of antisemitic incidents in Belgium this year. In March 2026, an explosive device detonated outside the synagogue in Liège, causing significant damage in what authorities labeled a “clearly antisemitic attack.” The federal prosecutor’s office opened an investigation for possible terrorist offenses.

More recently, Club Brugge chairman Bart Verhaeghe was questioned by prosecutors regarding antisemitic chants by the club’s supporters. Meanwhile, the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office referred two Jewish ritual circumcisers to court, prompting the EJA to warn that “Jews need to prepare to leave Belgium.” This prosecution also sparked a diplomatic row after US Ambassador Bill White stated that the world now sees Belgium as an antisemitic country.

Legal Framework and Next Steps

Antisemitic acts in Belgium fall under multiple legal frameworks, including the Antiracism Law (1981), the Negationism Law (1995), and the Anti-Discrimination Law (2007), as well as the Criminal Code, which provides for aggravating circumstances when crimes are committed with a hate motive. Depending on the evidence gathered, the suspect could face charges for incitement to hatred and violence.

The case also raises questions about social media platform X’s content moderation policies and how quickly hate speech is identified and removed. The fact that the video went viral highlights the amplifying effect of social media on extremist content.

What to Watch For

The investigation remains active, and authorities have not disclosed whether formal charges will be filed. The case adds to mounting international scrutiny of Belgium’s handling of antisemitism, following the US ambassador’s controversial remarks and the EJA’s repeated calls for emergency measures. For Belgium’s Jewish community, already living under heightened threat, this latest incident serves as another stark reminder of the challenges they face.