Israeli flag hangs again on Antwerp City Hall, administration remains divided
The Israeli flag was once again hoisted on the facade of Antwerp City Hall on Wednesday as part of the city's annual summer flag display, despite continuing divisions within the city administration over the decision.
Workers began installing the flags of European Union member states and countries with a consulate or embassy in Antwerp on Wednesday morning. The display, which runs from 15 June to 15 September, is governed by the city's official flag protocol. Several Antwerp police officers were present during the installation.
The question of whether the Israeli flag should be displayed amid the ongoing war in Gaza has been a source of tension within Antwerp's governing coalition since last year. N-VA, led by Mayor Els van Doesburg, maintains that the city should adhere to its flag protocol and diplomatic guidelines issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to the party, there is no consensus within the administration to depart from those rules.
Coalition partner Vooruit has proposed alternative solutions, arguing that displaying the Israeli flag sends the wrong signal in the current context, but no agreement has been reached.
The issue has also divided the opposition. Groen and PVDA have called for the Israeli flag to be removed and replaced with a peace flag. They advocate amending the flag protocol so that flags are not displayed for countries that the International Court of Justice has found to be committing serious violations of international law. CD&V has previously expressed similar concerns, while Vlaams Belang supports retaining the flag.
The Antwerp Coalition for Palestine condemned the decision. “Israel is committing genocide, completely disregarding international law, and is also failing to observe the agreed ceasefires,” the organisation said. “Flying this flag on the facade of our city hall is not only a denial of the country’s thousands of (war) crimes, but it is also a slap in the face to the victims and their families here in the Palestinian community of Antwerp. The Israeli flag represents one of the darkest pages in recent history. And yet, the city administration intends to fly it according to procedure as if nothing is wrong.”
#FlandersNewsService | Flags wave on the City Hall of Antwerp © BELGA PHOTO WIM HENDRIX
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