Wave of arrests in Brussels 'aimed at intimidating Palestine supporters,' activists say

BRUSSELS

A series of arrests targeting Palestinians in Brussels is part of an effort to intimidate demonstrators and weaken public support for Palestine, activist groups said on Wednesday.

At least six Palestinians have been detained this month in connection with pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the capital, according to rights organizations. Some were released after hours in custody without charges or documentation.

"Some of the people who were arrested didn’t even know why they were being detained, they were just on their way home," The Bulletin news website quoted human rights activist Stefi Richani as saying.

Richani argued that the detentions were politically motivated, describing them as "a deliberate and racist strategy."

Rights groups said the most common justification police gave was "disturbance of public order," a broad concept they believe is being misused to target Palestinian activists.

Non-profit Ahrar Palestine said Palestinian activist Hussam Al-Faqawi was arrested on Sept. 10 after a demonstration. Earlier this month, the group reported the arrest of 18-year-old Hamouda, an asylum seeker from Gaza, and 20-year-old Anas, also from Gaza, who was reportedly transferred to a closed migrant detention center.

"It is clearly a form of intimidation on the part of the police and the government," Palestinian Belgian activist Tarek Al Refai said, noting that arrests often happen after demonstrations when groups are smaller.

Activist groups, however, maintain that Palestinians are being singled out, and that the arrests are intended to create fear among those speaking out for Palestine.

The Israeli army has killed almost 65,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in Gaza since October 2023. The relentless bombardment has rendered the enclave uninhabitable, and led to famine and the spread of diseases.