Belgian church bells chime Israeli anthem for President Rivlin
June 21, 2016(JTA) — One of Belgium’s largest Catholic churches played the Israeli anthem on its bells in honor of a visit by the president of the Jewish state, Reuven Rivlin.
“Hatikvah” rang for the first time ever from the bells of Antwerp’s majestic Cathedral of Our Lady, prompting an astonished Rivlin to exclaim to Antwerp Mayor Bart De Wever: “This is a real welcome!”
Rivlin, who arrived in Antwerp as part of his four-day visit to Belgium and European Union institutions, remarked with a smile to De Wever that the melody is actually based on a piece titled “Moldau” composed by Bedrich Smetana, a 19th-century Czech composer.
During his visit, which began Monday, Rivlin made several references to the deadly attacks in Belgium by Islamist terrorists that took the lives of 32 victims on March 22.
“Today we know that there is a link between anti-Semitism against Jews and jihadi terror that kills innocent people of all religions,” Rivlin said in a joint news statement at the end of his meeting Monday in Brussels with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel. “We must not wait for anti-Semitism to become terror; we must fight it from the beginning, together.”
Israel, Rivlin added, “is concerned by the activities” in Belgium of the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
“BDS is of no importance, but even their small victories can give the wrong impression. We hope that under your leadership, Belgium will say ‘no to BDS’ and ‘yes to peace,’ ‘yes to cooperation,’” he said.
Michel in his statement touched on the issue of BDS only indirectly.
“The cooperation between us is significant — especially in the area of trade,” he said. “We appreciate Israeli innovation, and the drive for education and academic development.”
Michel said Rivlin’s visit will help further cooperation in both areas with Belgium.
Similar posts
-
Timeline of the Gaza Strip Since 1906
June 3, 20241906: A line is drawn between Egypt, ruled de facto by Britain, and the rest of the Ottoman Em...
-
Israel Is Held To A Higher Standard Than Any Country
April 25, 2024In the intricate tapestry of global affairs, one nation stands out for enduring scrutiny and condem...
-
Israel Has The Most Moral Military In The World
April 10, 2024In the heart of a region often riddled with conflict, Israel stands out not only for its technologi...
-
The Resilience of the Israeli People
April 2, 2024Visitors from around the world have seen Hamas's October 7th Massacre's destruction in southern Isr...
-
Israel: Small Size, Big Impact
March 21, 2024Nestled along the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea, Israel is a land of immense historical sig...
-
Israelis Are Fighting For Their Lives
February 21, 2024By Jonathan S. Tobin The world looks a lot different from Kibbutz Kfar Aza than it does in the U...
-
Over 2 Million Arabs Live In Israel
January 23, 2024In the complex landscape of the Middle East, where diverse cultures and identities intersect, Israe...
-
'Fauda' Star Idan Amedi Injured Fighting in Gaza
January 8, 2024Despite the severity of his injuries, Amedi's father assured Israeli news channels that his life is...