Jews targeted at Bowling Alley in Antwerp, Staff fired after deliberately ignoring Jewish customers

A troubling anti-Semitic incident at a Gamestate bowling alley in Antwerp, Belgium, resulted in the dismissal of two employees after they targeted five Jewish teenagers wearing yarmulkes. The incident, which took place on April 28, 2025, near the city’s Jewish neighbourhood, involved staff deliberately ignoring the teens while serving other customers. The bowling alley’s screen displayed the derogatory label “5 JODEN” (Dutch for “5 Jews”), and one bartender was seen wearing a t-shirt with “Palestine” written in English and Arabic, further escalating the discriminatory atmosphere.

Ralph Pais, vice president of Yid, an Antwerp-based Jewish community center, told Arutz Sheva that this was not an isolated event at Gamestate Antwerpen, citing prior complaints, including at least one formal grievance against the establishment. The incident sparked outrage in Antwerp’s Jewish community, which has faced rising antisemitism, with a 2024 European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights report noting a surge in hate incidents across Belgium since the onset of the Israel-Gaza conflict in 2023.

Gamestate responded swiftly, issuing a statement expressing shock and disappointment. The company confirmed the immediate termination of the two involved employees, emphasizing that their actions violated the chain’s values. Roel Veltmeijer, Gamestate’s owner, issued a public apology: “We offer our sincere apologies to anyone who feels hurt or excluded by this. This behaviour absolutely does not fit with the values of Gamestate, where inclusivity, respect, and fun are paramount.” The company pledged to investigate further to prevent future occurrences.

This incident underscores broader challenges in combating antisemitism in public spaces, particularly in areas with significant Jewish populations like Antwerp. Community leaders are calling for increased awareness and stricter measures to ensure safe environments, as the firing of the employees signals a step toward accountability amid ongoing efforts to address hate in Belgium and beyond.