The mayor of Saint-Gilles, Jean Spinette, strongly condemned on Monday images circulating on social media taken from a staged performance that took place over the weekend as part of the Festival Résistance in Brussels.
Spinette believes the performance might be interpreted as praising or justifying Hamas' actions. "I share the indignation at the discovery of these images," said the mayor.
Videos and images circulating social media show people in front of a stage with fake guns, some of whom are wearing what appears to be keffiyeh. The videos show them walk by others lying on the ground, appearing to mimic dead bodies.
Spinette (PS) affirmed he had sought police advice before authorising the event, as is customary for all public gatherings. "The information we had did not justify a prior ban, without jeopardising freedom of expression."
He further stated, however, that he had warned the organisers against any actions that might harm the community’s social cohesion. In the approval letter sent to organisers, the municipality set several conditions: no explicit or implicit references to Hamas or Hezbollah, no incitement to hatred or violence, and strict adherence to social cohesion.
"Seeing these images, I realise this is not the case," remarked Spinette, referring to possible calls for violence and an alleged glorification of terrorism.
The mayor indicated that he is considering what actions to take, in consultation with the police. "I won’t leave it at that," he emphasised, adding that he might refer the matter to the Prosecutor’s Office.
The performance was widely condemned on social media, with commenters denouncing the 'pro-Hamas' scenes it depicted.
'An artistic cry for dignity'
On Monday afternoon, the organisers of the Festival Résistance rejected the accusations. "It was neither a call for hatred nor a reference to an armed organisation, but an artistic cry for dignity and justice," they said.
The organisers added that the performance was designed by a young Palestinian from Gaza and was intended to "denounce Israeli impunity for the violence committed in the Palestinian territories."
They further explained that the staged act depicted the killing of civilians - a child, a journalist, a medic - by the Israeli army, and the arrest of a Palestinian. This was followed by the arrival of the resistance, symbolically represented by "unarmed" figures, who freed the prisoner, according to the organisers.
"The message conveyed is therefore that, in the context of Israeli impunity and the inaction of world governments, the Palestinian people are resisting and expect their liberation to come only from themselves," said the collective behind the festival.
They further insist the "artistic and allegorical nature of the theatrical performance" follows the conditions set by the municipality: no explicit or implicit link to Hamas or Hezbollah, and no message inciting hatred.
The Festival Résistance was held from 6 to 8 June at Bethléem Square and the Pianofabriek. It was advertised as an event supporting liberation struggles, with a particular focus on Palestinian resistance, under the theme: "the fight for freedom and the dignity of peoples."
This article was updated at 17:22 on Monday to include comments by the organisers of the Festival Résistance.
