On Tuesday, Likud MK Dan Illouz called on Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to shut down the Belgian consulate in Jerusalem. His request followed a criminal complaint filed in Belgium against Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli, which resulted in the cancellation of his participation in International Holocaust Remembrance Day events at the European Parliament in Brussels.
The complaint was filed by Dyab Abou Jahjah, head of the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) whose mission is to challenge what it describes as “Israeli impunity concerning war crimes and human rights violations in Palestine, particularly in the Gaza Strip.”
In his appeal to FM Sa’ar, MK Illouz noted that this was a “political, baseless, and antisemitic” complaint, adding that “Belgium allows its legal system to be exploited for the political persecution of Israeli elected officials.”
Minister Chikli expressed his regret over receiving instructions from security officials to cancel his participation in the International Holocaust Remembrance Day events in Brussels. He stated, “Unfortunately, the European capital has become an unsafe place for Jews and Israelis.”
HRF tweeted: “The minister, who previously threatened the foundation’s chairman Diab Abu Jahja, canceled his visit to Brussels, citing ‘security concerns.’ We believe this decision is more about avoiding the justice system and legal actions.”
HRF recently targeted Israeli soldiers and filed complaints alleging “crimes against humanity” committed during the Gaza war. Just two weeks ago, the same pro-Hamas group submitted a request to the International Criminal Court in The Hague for the arrest of General Rasan Alian, the coordinator of government activities in the territories, who was in Italy at the time.
In December 2024, the HRF filed a complaint with the Belgian government against Colonel Moshe Tetro, Israel’s incoming military attaché in Brussels. The complaint accused Tetro of being responsible for implementing a policy of starvation in Gaza and for attacking hospitals.
In his letter to Minister Sa’ar, MK Illouz highlighted precedents supporting his request, including a bill he promoted in the 25th Knesset, which aimed to limit the opening of diplomatic missions in Jerusalem to only recognized missions.
He also pointed to a 2024 action by Foreign Minister Israel Katz, who prohibited the Spanish Consulate in Jerusalem from providing diplomatic services to residents of Judea and Samaria, in response to Spain’s pro-Palestinian stance. Illouz argued that “it is inappropriate for a foreign country to maintain a representation in the capital of Israel while pursuing a hostile policy toward the state and its elected officials.”
He contended that closing the Belgian consulate would be a strong protest action, sending a clear message of Israel’s commitment to its sovereignty and dignity.
Dan Illouz was born in Montreal, Canada, to Moroccan Jewish parents. He holds a law degree from McGill University and a degree in public policy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 2009, at the age of 23, he made Aliyah from Montreal.
In October 2024, MK Illouz defied the Likud party over proposed legislation aimed at providing government subsidies to Haredi yeshiva students who do not serve in the IDF. In response, the Likud imposed penalties on Illouz, removing him from the Knesset’s Economic Affairs and Foreign Affairs and Defense Committees, as well as barring him from submitting private bills in the Knesset. The legislation was ultimately withdrawn after enough coalition MKs, including Illouz, opposed it, leaving the coalition’s majority on the bill in jeopardy.
