HATE ON THE METRO: Jewish Man Brutally Beaten and Robbed in Brussels Antisemitic Attack
"Dirty Jew": A brutal antisemitic attack on the Brussels metro leaves a victim beaten and robbed of a 30-year-old family heirloom.
A 41-year-old Jewish resident of Brussels was violently assaulted on the city’s metro system on Friday evening in what he and Jewish organizations describe as a clear antisemitic attack.
David Sierzant Acitores was approached by three men who asked him for directions, a move he now believes was a deliberate distraction. The men then suddenly attacked him, knocking him to the ground and repeatedly punching him in the face, knocking off his glasses and tearing his shirt.
While beating him, the assailants violently ripped off his gold chain with a Magen David (Star of David) pendant. According to Acitores, they made antisemitic remarks during the assault, including calling him a “dirty Jew” and speaking disparagingly about Jews.
Notably, the attackers did not take his wallet or phone, only the necklace, which has led the victim and observers to conclude the assault was specifically targeted because he is Jewish and visibly wearing the religious symbol.
The necklace held deep sentimental value: it was a gift from his father and had been with him for nearly 30 years.
In a social media post describing the incident, Acitores wrote: “It is unacceptable to be attacked in Brussels because you are Jewish or because you wear a Star of David.”
He has filed a formal complaint with the police. As of Sunday morning, there has been no public update from Brussels authorities on arrests or suspect descriptions.
The incident has drawn quick condemnation from Jewish organizations and some Belgian politicians. The Combat Antisemitism Movement highlighted the attack on social media, calling it another example of rising antisemitism in European public spaces.
Belgian Socialist Party politician Jamal Ikazban was among those who denounced the assault.
This latest case comes amid ongoing concerns about antisemitic incidents in Belgium and across Europe, particularly in major cities like Brussels, which has a significant Muslim immigrant population and has seen tensions linked to Middle East conflicts.
Police investigation is ongoing.