Support for Palestine: Controversy in Belgium after the remarks of Fouad Ahidar

"I stand on the side of all victims, Israeli and Palestinian. I want an immediate ceasefire, the authorization of permanent humanitarian aid and the establishment, as soon as possible, of a solution based on the coexistence of two states. All I want is for Israelis and Palestinians to be able to live in peace. Whatever the difficulties this represents," he said in a statement.

Of Moroccan origin, Ahidar was criticized after posting a video where he seemed to draw a parallel between Israel’s actions and the Jewish genocide during World War II. These comments sparked an outcry among Flemish opposition parties and prompted his own party to distance itself.

"All those who know me know that for years I have been defending the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to a dignified existence and to their own state. I have been to Gaza several times and I have seen the human misery with my own eyes. Everyone also knows that it makes me emotional. I don’t always express myself well and I understand that my words have had serious consequences and have led to conclusions that I had not anticipated," he specified.

"At no time did I want to minimize the Hamas attack of October 7 against Israeli civilians and I unequivocally condemn this terrorist attack," he concluded.