Clerics & Preachers

Belgian party demands crackdown on foreign imams The nationalist Vlaams Belang party says Belgium is allowing in too many imams from countries like Morocco and Egypt, accusing the government of weakening national identity.

(European Conservative) The Belgian nationalist party Vlaams Belang has voiced concern over a steady rise in the number of foreign imams entering Belgium during Ramadan. MP Francesca Van Belleghem reported that visa approvals for these religious figures increased from 31 in 2022 […]

Academics & Education

Student accused of supporting Hamas appears in court Despite SOAS university being repeatedly informed of Sarah Cotte's actions, it appears to have repeatedly declined to act for 17 months until she was charged

(Jewish News) A student accused of expressing support for Hamas and the 7 October attacks two days after the massacre has appeared at the Old Bailey, denying two charges of expressing “an opinion or belief in support of a proscribed organisation.” Sarah […]

Government & Politics

Samidoun added to Belgium’s extremism [watchlist], first [step] towards ban According to Israel’s National Bureau for Counter-Terror Financing, Samidoun plays a leading role in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine’s (PFLP) anti-Israel propaganda efforts, fundraising and activist recruitment.

(European Jewish Press) The Belgian federal government has announced that the pro-Palestinian organization Samidoun will be added to the OCAD database — Belgium’s official registry for tracking terrorism, extremism, and radicalization, a move which is seen as a first step towards a […]