\n\n\n Jewish groups say that an \u2018appalling\u2019 float at a carnival in \nBelgium brings back Nazi-era anti-Semitic stereotypes. The event also \nsparked controversy by featuring blackface and marchers in KKK hoods \nhanding out chocolate.\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two umbrella groups, representing French and Flemish-speaking Jews in Belgium, filed<\/a>\n a complaint to the public anti-discrimination watchdog, Unia, \nprotesting the \u2018anti-Semitic\u2019 float paraded during a carnival in the \ncity of Aalst on Sunday. They also filed complaints to the organizers of\n the event and the local authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The float, titled \u2018Shabbat \nYear\u2019, contained two large pink puppets of stereotypical Jews, complete \nwith sidelocks and traditional headgear, associated with Orthodox \nJudaism. One puppet was equipped with a white rat, sitting on its \nshoulder, a cigar and a grinning smile. Both had large hooked noses, \nwith golden coins and bags of money scattered at their feet. Some \nreligious Jewish symbolism was present as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carnival in Aalst Belgium 03.03.2019: Antisemitic Caricatures of Orthodox Jews paraded during the carnival procession. #Antisemitism<\/a>#Belgium<\/a>#AalstCarnaval<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/FcC2yRaRP4<\/a>\u2014 SACC by EJC (@SaccBy) March 3, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The Belgian Jewish organizations were \u201cutterly appalled\u201d<\/em> by the moving installation, noting that they value humor but \u201csome lines cannot be crossed.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe\n caricatures, like those published in [the Nazi-era paper] Der Sturmer, \ndepicting Jews with hooked noses and holding suitcases, were typical \nduring the Nazism in 1939. In a democracy like Belgium, there must be no\n room for this in 2019, be it carnival or not,\u201d<\/em> they wrote in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The groups stressed that such depiction of Jews is especially alarming in the context of \u201cthe rise of anti-Semitism\u201d<\/em> in Belgium and the world. Their sentiment was shared by advocacy groups and Jewish public figures overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe anti-Semitic Jews-and-money trope is deadly, not for jest,\u201d<\/em> Senior Vice President at the Anti-Defamation League, Sharon Nazarian wrote in a tweet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The\n anti-Semitic Jews-and-money trope is deadly, not for jest. Ilan Halimi \nwas kidnapped for ransom and murdered bc “All Jews are rich.” Others \nhave been raped and beaten during targeted home robberies. #AalstCarnaval<\/a>https:\/\/t.co\/IRYpFosKuj<\/a>\u2014 Sharon S. Nazarian (@sharon_nazarian) March 4, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n A picture sent to me by a friend from #Belgium<\/a>. Ugly face of #Antisemitism<\/a> shows it’s face in #Aalst<\/a>#Belgium<\/a>, as depiction of orthodox Jews standing on sacks of money, paraded through the town. @IsraelinBelgium<\/a>@BelgiuminIsrael<\/a>#Jewish<\/a>#jewishcommunity<\/a>#Antisemitismus<\/a>#AalstCarnaval<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/qRgtoq61Q2<\/a>\u2014 Eran Cicurel (@EranCicurel) March 5, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The\n veteran prop-making team, which designed the controversial float, said \nthat it was meant to symbolize the rising prices in Belgium and the need\n to be frugal. \u201cEverything has become so expensive,\u201d<\/em> the team’s leader, Matthias explained<\/a> before the scandal broke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The group later stated that its set piece wasn’t \u201cridiculing faith.\u201d<\/em>\u201cA\n carnival is simply a feast with caricatures. We thought that it would \nbe comical for us \u2013 dressed as pink Jews \u2013 to display a safe where we \nstore our money in. The humor is present in other religions as well,\u201d<\/em> the float-makers told<\/a> local media. They also said that they had to alert the police due to the threats they were getting in connection to the float.\n \n \n Also on rt.com\n Racism or just an ugly shoe? Katy Perry\u2019s new \u2018blackface\u2019 footwear sparks outrage\n \n \n \n<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, the \u2018Shabbat Year\u2019 wasn\u2019t the only part of the \ncarnival which sparked outrage. The procession in Aalst also featured \nwhite people in \u2018blackface\u2019 makeup. Another float had marchers handing \nout chocolate bars while wearing Ku Klux Klan hoods. According to \nBelgian media, it was reference to a controversial joke<\/a> made by a local right-wing politician, who compared a photo of black children to \u201cchocolate mousse.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Carnaval in #Aalst<\/a> moet echt gezellig zijn \ud83d\udeae pic.twitter.com\/2rJDCFFqWD<\/a>\u2014 Erik Stronks \u26a0\ufe0f\ud83e\udd8f\u26a0\ufe0f (@erikstronks) March 4, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Disappointed but not surprised \ud83e\udd26\ud83c\udffe\u200d\u2640\ufe0f The city’s mayor Christoph D’Haese spoke out against censorship, saying that such floats should be permitted at the carnival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt’s not up to the mayor to ban them. The participants at the carnival had no foul intentions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Some commenters expressed the same opinion, pointing out that carnivals exist to poke fun at certain issues. \u201cWe\n need a National \u2018Make fun of whatever you want (jokingly)\u2019 day, free of\n repercussions. No limits, have thick skin & laugh at what you think\n is funny,\u201d<\/em> one person wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We need a National “Make fun of whatever you want (jokingly)” day, free of repercussions. No limits, have thick skin & laugh at what you think is funny .<\/p> <\/p>
Israeli-based lawyer and political commentator Arsen Ostrovsky called the carnival stunt \u201csick anti-Semitism at its worst.\u201d<\/em> Eran Cicurel, an editor and presenter at the Israeli public broadcaster IPBC, wrote that anti-Semitism has shown its \u201cugly face\u201d<\/em> in Aalst, as he posted a video from the carnival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was from #AalstCarnaval<\/a> yesterday. Sick #Antisemitism<\/a> at its worst.
Will the Beligian authorities take action? @BelgiuminIsrael<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/J5B1tedGA1<\/a>\u2014 Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) March 4, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Here we go again #blackface<\/a>#kkk<\/a>#aalst<\/a>#carnaval<\/a>#BlackTwitter<\/a>#hln<\/a>#Carnaval2019<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/2KBkYTKLc7<\/a>\u2014 Eunice Bonita (@3Eb_Photography) March 4, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n