Bruges, Belgium — An Israeli tourist was violently assaulted by a group of men in front of his daughter at the Bruges train station on Friday following his removal of an anti-Israel sticker from a wall.
The victim, 64-year-old Amnon Ohana, sustained a fractured jaw in the attack, which involved about ten aggressors.
The incident began when Ohana and his daughter Shira, 29, arrived at the train station. Spotting the offensive sticker, Ohana decided to peel it off, an action that quickly drew the ire of several onlookers.
According to the complaint filed with local police, the situation escalated rapidly as the men confronted Ohana, verbally harassing him and his daughter.
In a video recorded by Shira, two men can be seen shouting at them from an elevated position before one descends a flight of stairs to pursue the pair.
Despite the presence of a train conductor and other passersby, no immediate assistance was offered to the Israelis during the altercation.
Prior to this recorded confrontation, Ohana and his daughter had already been attacked once.
The initial assault forced them to flee downstairs, where the situation took a more violent turn. The video footage captures one of the assailants, identified as a man in his twenties, delivering a forceful punch to Ohana’s ribcage, causing him to collapse to the floor.
The aggressor continued to assault Ohana, repeatedly striking him as Shira filmed and screamed for the violence to cease.
The severity of the attack left Ohana with a fractured jaw, necessitating immediate medical attention.
The psychological impact on both father and daughter was also profound, with Shira visibly shaken as she recounted the ordeal to police officers.
Belgian authorities are investigating the incident, and there has been widespread condemnation from various sectors of society.
The Israeli Embassy in Belgium has called for a thorough investigation and swift justice for the perpetrators, stressing the need for better protection of tourists and stronger measures against hate crimes.
“We are deeply concerned about this brutal attack,” said an embassy spokesperson. “Such acts of violence and intolerance have no place in any society, and we urge the Belgian authorities to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of all visitors.”
Local community leaders in Bruges also expressed their shock and dismay. “This kind of violence is unacceptable,” said a representative of a local civic organization.
“Bruges is known for its hospitality and tolerance, and this incident is a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done to combat hatred and bigotry.”
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about anti-Semitism and the safety of Jewish individuals in Europe.
Advocacy groups have long warned about the rising tide of anti-Semitic incidents across the continent, and this latest attack underscores the urgency of addressing these issues.
As the investigation continues, the Ohana family has received an outpouring of support from both the Israeli community and the general public.
Many have taken to social media to express their solidarity and call for justice, using hashtags such as #JusticeForAmnon and #StopHate.
In the aftermath of the attack, Amnon and Shira Ohana are focusing on recovery while hoping that their ordeal will serve as a catalyst for positive change in attitudes and policies regarding hate crimes in Europe.
This article was created using automation and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our staff editorial members
