On Tuesday evening, Brussels police broke up a pro-Palestinian protest at a performance by Israeli comedian Yohay Sponder at the Viage Casino.
Footage shows police attempting to disperse the protesters and using pepper spray. The well-known Belgian climate activist Anuna De Wever was among the protestors and reported the incident to Belga on Thursday. The police confirmed the event but deemed their intervention justified.
Israeli comedian and podcaster Yohay Sponder gave a performance at the Viage Casino on Tuesday, 18 February. Anuna De Wever labelled him a “preacher of hate.” They claimed he makes podcasts for the Israeli military and defends its actions.
Brussels action groups requested the cancellation of Sponder’s performance. De Wever stated that Sponder jokes about starving and bombing Gaza’s residents, referring to it as a “clean-up operation.”
De Wever and around ten other activists went to the casino on Tuesday evening. They sat on a terrace near Viage and shouted “Free Palestine.” According to De Wever, the police responded forcefully.
She claimed the police “used extreme measures,” dragging two people away and spraying tear gas at others’ faces. Video footage shows officers trying to remove two activists while using tear gas.
Brussels Capital-Ixelles police confirmed the incident and justified the intervention. They reported that a group of ten people gathered at Viage to chant slogans. The police stated that no permit was requested for the protest, and officers repeatedly asked the individuals to leave.
The police deemed the use of tear gas necessary to restore order. No arrests were made.
