Belgian Officials Express Support for Israel Amid EU Criticism

Despite Belgium's history of being a strong critic of Israel within the European Union, including measures taken after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, some Belgian officials have publicly shown support for the Jewish state. Belgian Minister of Defense Theo Francken posted a three-word Hebrew message, "Am Yisrael Chai" (The People of Israel Live), on social media platform X, accompanied by blue and white hearts. The post was timed for 6:29 AM, the exact time Hamas began its attack. Francken has been a vocal supporter of Israel for years, criticizing past Belgian governments for what he deemed unfair treatment of the democratic nation. He previously condemned ministers who refused to label Hamas a terrorist organization and politicians advocating for boycotts of Israel. In June 2025, Francken also stated that Israel's nuclear monopoly in the Middle East is crucial for deterring Iran's threat to the West.

Another prominent supporter of Israel within the Belgian government is Georges-Louis Bouchez, chairman of the MR party, the second-largest political force in the ruling coalition. This week, Bouchez attended a memorial ceremony for the victims of the October 7 attack alongside the Israeli Ambassador to Belgium, David Saranga. During the event, Bouchez affirmed Israel's unequivocal right to self-defense against terrorism and highlighted the threat posed by the Iranian regime.

Newly appointed Israeli Ambassador to Belgium David Saranga presented his credentials to King Philippe on October 7, coinciding with the anniversary of the Hamas attack. Saranga noted the symbolic significance of the date, stating that while Israelis feel pain and hope on the same day, he would enter the palace remembering the fallen and Israel's resolve to live and thrive. He emphasized that while enemies killed Israelis, they did not break their spirit.

Ambassador Saranga has also utilized artificial intelligence to create introductory videos for the Belgian public in French, Flemish, and Arabic. In these AI-generated messages, he calls for an end to boycotts against Israel, discusses the Jewish state's fight against radical Islamism, and warns of a similar threat in Europe, including dormant terrorist cells. Saranga advocates for dialogue with moderate Muslim populations, stating that democratic states must confront the challenge posed by radical Islamist organizations operating within Europe. He is recognized as a pioneer in using AI for public diplomacy, having previously created multilingual videos for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.