golani
11-18-2004, 01:27 AM
From Jpost and debka
Nov. 18, 2004 10:47 | Updated Nov. 18, 2004 12:10
Antwerp: Jew shot, critically wounded
By RONIT SELA
An ultra-Orthodox man was shot in the head and critically wounded overnight Wednesday near a Muslim neighborhood in Antwerp, Belgium.
Belgium Police, who are investigating the incident, said he was likely targeted as a Jew, as his money was not stolen and he is not involved in criminal business.
There has been tension Antwerp between its Muslim community and large Jewish community, especially in the past four years of escalating violence between Israelis and Palestinians.
Moshe Yitzhak Na'eh, in his 20s, a father of five, serves as the helper of the Leibish rebbe of Chaiborsch in Antwerp. He finished work at the house of the rebbe, located in the same building of the community's synagogue, at 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, according to Yehuda Ceitlin, a correspondent of the European Jewish Press.
The rebbe's house is located near the bridge separating the Muslim and Jewish neighborhoods of Antwerp. Na'eh was walking along the bridge on his way home when he was shot in the head.
He was quickly rushed to hospital, where he was operated on.
"If this is indeed an anti-Semitic act," said Ceitlin," this is a big change in Belgium. There have been stabbings here, punches – but never shooting.
"The Jewish community here is very worried," Ceitlin told The Jerusalem Post.
He added that he was informed that at the time of the shooting Na'eh was carrying in his pockets 1,300 Euro, which the attackers did not attempt to steal.
"This is another evidence that the attack might have been an anti-Semitic incident," Ceitlin said.
"Police told us today they can't divulge any information about the investigation into the case," he added. "However, this might only mean they don't have any information about the attack, yet."
In July, two Jews were physically assaulted on the streets of Antwerp, including a cyclist who was attacked by a group of 15 people hurling stones and bottles.
Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel had condemned the attacks, saying, "This latest act of cowardly violence in Antwerp, where the sole motivation was that the victim was Jewish, is both despicable and unacceptable."
Earlier in July, some 1,000 people took part in a demonstration organized by Antwerp's Jewish community demanding "zero tolerance" for anti-Semitism in Belgium.
Most of Antwerp's large Jewish Hassidic community is located in the Diamond District, near the Central Station.
Estimations about the number of Jewish citizens in Antwerp nowadays vary from 15,000 to 20,000.
Before the World War II, the Jewish community of Antwerp consisted of more than 55,000 people.
Nov. 18, 2004 10:47 | Updated Nov. 18, 2004 12:10
Antwerp: Jew shot, critically wounded
By RONIT SELA
An ultra-Orthodox man was shot in the head and critically wounded overnight Wednesday near a Muslim neighborhood in Antwerp, Belgium.
Belgium Police, who are investigating the incident, said he was likely targeted as a Jew, as his money was not stolen and he is not involved in criminal business.
There has been tension Antwerp between its Muslim community and large Jewish community, especially in the past four years of escalating violence between Israelis and Palestinians.
Moshe Yitzhak Na'eh, in his 20s, a father of five, serves as the helper of the Leibish rebbe of Chaiborsch in Antwerp. He finished work at the house of the rebbe, located in the same building of the community's synagogue, at 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, according to Yehuda Ceitlin, a correspondent of the European Jewish Press.
The rebbe's house is located near the bridge separating the Muslim and Jewish neighborhoods of Antwerp. Na'eh was walking along the bridge on his way home when he was shot in the head.
He was quickly rushed to hospital, where he was operated on.
"If this is indeed an anti-Semitic act," said Ceitlin," this is a big change in Belgium. There have been stabbings here, punches – but never shooting.
"The Jewish community here is very worried," Ceitlin told The Jerusalem Post.
He added that he was informed that at the time of the shooting Na'eh was carrying in his pockets 1,300 Euro, which the attackers did not attempt to steal.
"This is another evidence that the attack might have been an anti-Semitic incident," Ceitlin said.
"Police told us today they can't divulge any information about the investigation into the case," he added. "However, this might only mean they don't have any information about the attack, yet."
In July, two Jews were physically assaulted on the streets of Antwerp, including a cyclist who was attacked by a group of 15 people hurling stones and bottles.
Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel had condemned the attacks, saying, "This latest act of cowardly violence in Antwerp, where the sole motivation was that the victim was Jewish, is both despicable and unacceptable."
Earlier in July, some 1,000 people took part in a demonstration organized by Antwerp's Jewish community demanding "zero tolerance" for anti-Semitism in Belgium.
Most of Antwerp's large Jewish Hassidic community is located in the Diamond District, near the Central Station.
Estimations about the number of Jewish citizens in Antwerp nowadays vary from 15,000 to 20,000.
Before the World War II, the Jewish community of Antwerp consisted of more than 55,000 people.