Belgian deputy PM faces backlash after labeling Hezbollah pager explosions a 'terrorist attack'

Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Petra De Sutter condemned the Hezbollah pager explosions in Lebanon and Syria, describing the incident as a “terrorist attack.”

“I strongly condemn the massive terror attack in Lebanon and Syria, which injured thousands of people. A brutal escalation of violence. Silence is not an option. An international investigation is called for. The bloodshed must end,” De Sutter wrote in a post on 𝕏.

At least 20 people were killed and hundreds injured in the widespread pager explosions throughout Lebanon and Syria. The majority of the fatalities and wounded are believed to be Hezbollah terrorist operatives.

The Belgian deputy prime minister is facing strong criticism for overlooking the well-documented terrorism carried out by the Iranian regime and its proxies, including Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis

"NOT A SINGLE TWEET condemning Hamas, Hezbollah or the Houthis, and NOW THIS???!!!! With people like you in power in Europe, we don't even need enemies. Might as well invite Hamas to Europe and beg them to rape and murder all of us," National Security and Foreign Policy researcher Khaled Hassan responded on the social platform.

European Jewish Association Chairman Rabbi Menachem Margolin also criticized De Sutter's 𝕏 post.

"You are condemning an alleged attack against terrorists? You do know Hezbollah is a recognized terror organization? You need to learn who you are caring for; luckily, there is something called Google that you can use to educate yourself about who Hezbollah is," Margolin wrote.

Belgium has emerged as one of Europe’s most vocal critics of Israel.

The International Movement for Peace and Coexistence (IMPAC), a Brussels-based NGO, recently reported a strong anti-Israel bias in the way the Middle East conflict is presented in Belgian schools.

Belgium is Israel’s fourth largest trade partner in the European Union. Much of the bilateral trade is focused on the diamond industry.

In May, the Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo called for European trade sanctions against Israel amid the ongoing Gaza War.

Belgium has in recent years become a hotbed of radical Islam. In February, Belgian Minister of Justice Paul Van Tigchelt confirmed that the terrorist organization Hamas operates in Belgium.

“So far, we know that Hamas is active in Belgium through various companies. The activities (...) focus on lobbying and fundraising,” Tigchelt stated.

Anti-Israel and anti-Jewish sentiments are reportedly particularly widespread among Muslim students in both the French-speaking and the Flemish-speaking parts of Belgium. The situation in Belgium has reportedly deteriorated since the Hamas Oct.7 massacre, with many Jewish families concerned about the safety of their children.