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After March Attack, Liège Synagogue Reopens Doors with Distinguished Guest
🇧🇪 Belgium /Conflict & Security

After March Attack, Liège Synagogue Reopens Doors with Distinguished Guest

From La Libre Belgique · (12m ago) French Positive tone

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The synagogue in Liège, Belgium, reopened its doors after a March attack, with a notable guest in attendance.
  • U.S. Ambassador Bill White expressed happiness at the reopening and thanked the Belgian government for security measures.
  • The rabbi highlighted the solidarity shown by the Liège community and other religious groups, emphasizing their collective work for peace.

Sunday marked a significant day for the Jewish community of Liège, Belgium, and indeed for the international community, as the synagogue on Rue Léon Frédéric, the target of an attack on March 9, officially reopened its doors. The ceremony drew a large crowd of worshippers and local dignitaries, underscoring the community's resilience.

Je suis d'ailleurs très reconnaissant de l'aide militaire mise en place par le gouvernement pour que ces familles puissent pratiquer leur culte en paix et être à l'abri du terrorisme.

— Bill WhiteU.S. Ambassador thanking the Belgian government for security measures following the attack.

A key figure at the reopening was U.S. Ambassador Bill White. He expressed his profound joy at seeing the synagogue 'come back to life' and extended gratitude to the Belgian government for providing the necessary military support to ensure the safety of worshippers. Ambassador White used the occasion to call for an end to harmful generalizations and stressed that the congregants are ordinary people—doctors, lawyers, teachers—who simply wish to practice their faith peacefully, irrespective of political conflicts.

Quand on pense à ces personnes à l'intérieur, il faut se rappeler que ce sont des docteurs, des avocats, des professeurs, ou encore des infirmiers… Ce sont des Juifs qui n'ont rien à voir avec la politique du gouvernement israélien et qui souhaitent simplement se rendre dans leur temple comme je me rends dans mon église.

— Bill WhiteAmbassador White emphasizing the peaceful intentions of the congregants and calling for an end to generalizations.

Rabbi Joshua Nejman of the Liège synagogue lauded the unwavering solidarity demonstrated by the citizens of Liège and various religious communities from the very beginning. He conveyed his delight in proving to the world that collaboration among diverse groups can foster peace within the country. The rabbi's words resonated with the inscription on the still-damaged building, a verse from Malachi 2:10: 'Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?' This sentiment of unity and shared humanity was palpable during the high-security ceremony, which affirmed the Liège Jewish community's feeling of being supported and surrounded by their neighbors.

Je n'en attendais pas moins des Liégeois et de l'ensemble des communautés de toutes les religions.

— Joshua NejmanRabbi Nejman expressing his appreciation for the solidarity shown by the Liège community and people of all religions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Libre Belgique in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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