Aviva 💙 אביבה

This courageous article in The Jewish Chronicle sheds light on the suffocating atmosphere at European universities, especially in Belgium. The author, who is based at Ghent University, describes how anyone who questions the dominant narrative about Israel faces isolation, professional risks, and social hostility. He writes about feeling completely alone at his own university, as colleagues privately express support but are too afraid to say anything publicly. I once seriously considered studying in Ghent myself. But after seeing the reality there – and hearing from people I know who have experienced brutal silencing and even open hatred towards Israelis – I realized how hostile and even dangerous the environment has become. In Belgium, calling someone a “Zionist” is now a slur, thrown around by people who often have no idea what Zionism actually means. What’s especially disturbing is that this intolerance is directed at people who, in many ways, share the same liberal values as their critics. Yet those values are tossed aside in favor of supporting radical Islamism – a deeply naive and self-destructive choice. Belgium seems to be spiraling into a place where dissent is not tolerated, and this won’t end with Jews or Israel. The author’s bravery in speaking out, despite being so isolated, is truly admirable. I am deeply grateful for his voice. If you care about pluralism, academic freedom, and the future of Western democracy, I strongly recommend reading the full article. Breaking the spiral of silence starts with listening. @mboudry