Springtime for Hitler in Belgium

Belgian Jews are in a a bit of an uproar about this advertisement. Well, OK, it's not in the best taste, but the basic idea seems to be making fun of Hitler and Nazism and of Belgium. These are apparently the same folks who got everyone in a tizzy by planning a show about Hitler's favorite meal (Something like stewed Jews with Sauerbraten maybe.).

 

Is it anti-Semitic or is just a takeoff, it something like Mel Brooks' movie, "The Producers?"

 

The man in the picture is Thomas Desoete, a Belgian TV presenter, and the accompanying text is a zany travel ad. The idea is to get publicity, just as the Hitler's favorite meal show was tring to do. I am so confused, because I thought Belgians are all polite and somber people in blue suits.

 

Belgian Jews are furious. According to a Ha'aretz article, one man said, "The Jewish community is furious. Some are even considering whether they want to live here." Don't hold your breath until any of them leave. Europe must be a good place for Jews, as none of them want to come out.

 

Is there less to this than meets the eye?

 

You can look at this in one of several ways: It is a joke, so laugh. It is a publicity stunt. It is keyed to the idea that Hitler is so bad that this will attract attention. That is a GOOD thing. It means that hatred of anti-Semitism and of Hitler is becoming so rooted in European culture that they can joke about Hitler and Nazism in this way. Or you can insist that it is anti-Semitism. Still no reason to leave Belgium. What would the Diaspora be without Anti-Semitism, right?  Isn't that the whole point of living in the Diaspora and protesting about anti-Semitism?

 

Ami Isseroff