Belgium’s only Jewish MP, Michael Freilich, recently made a bold move to combat the ongoing support for Hamas in his country. Upon discovering that the domain for the local Hamas website, Hamas.be, was still available, Freilich immediately purchased it and redirected it to the official website of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
In an exclusive interview with The Jerusalem Post, Freilich explained his decision, stating that he wanted to prevent any pro-Hamas activists from accessing misleading and inciting information. He also wanted to send a clear message to Hamas supporters that their actions would not go unnoticed. “The message is very clear. Anyone that wants to support Hamas should know ‘Israel is coming for you.’ The Israeli Defense Forces are coming for you, and will wipe you off the map,” Freilich stated.
This move comes amidst a rising trend of anti-Israel and pro-Hamas protests in various parts of Europe, including Belgium. However, Freilich was quick to point out the unwavering support of his party, led by the Mayor of Antwerp and head of the largest political faction in Belgium, Bart De Wever, for Israel. “In this fight between Israel and Hamas, there’s only one side to choose and that is the side of Israel. We stand resolutely beside Israel,” De Wever had stated earlier in the week.
Freilich’s actions have not gone unnoticed, as just a day before his interview with The Jerusalem Post, it was reported that he had successfully convinced payment institution Wise and the National Bank of Belgium to shut down a donation account linked to Gaza Now, a Hamas propaganda outlet boasting over 1.1 million members on Telegram. This move means that Hamas can now only fundraise through Bitcoin.
According to Freilich, this is a significant step towards combatting the channels that support terrorism and propagate hate speech. “My investigations confirmed the suspension of the account, striking a significant blow to Hamas’s global fundraising endeavors,” he stated.
In addition to Wise and the National Bank of Belgium, PayPal has also stopped allowing transfers to the organization, further crippling their fundraising efforts in Europe. These actions by Freilich and the companies involved are a testament to the determination to combat terrorism and support the fight against Hamas.
In conclusion, Belgium’s only Jewish MP, Michael Freilich, has taken commendable actions to confront the growing support for Hamas in his country. By purchasing and redirecting the Hamas website’s domain and convincing payment institutions to shut down donation accounts, Freilich has shown that he will not sit idly by while terrorism is openly supported in his country. His efforts have been met with support and praise from the international community, sending a strong message to Hamas and its supporters that their actions will not be tolerated.
