Written by Anny Schumer and translated by Aline Brandon... A large crowd gathered at the "Groenplaats" in Antwerp to attend the "SHALOM"
Festival of Peace organised on the afternoon of Sunday October 16th, 2011 to visit the various stands set up by Jewish organisations, enjoying Israeli food, buying books and photos from the book "Hassidim" by Dan Zollman and collecting information on Israel and the local Jewish organisations.

A very large audience sat down comfortably to listen to the various speakers including René Trau, President of the Mala Zimetbaum Lodge in Antwerp, Mia de Schamphelaere, member of the CD&V political party who delivered a very pro-Israeli speech, Benoit Mores, Deputy Burgomaster who spoke of the victories of Israel, John Van der Dussen, from the synod of evangelic churches of Belgium, and Kris Vleugels also a member of the CD&V political party. All the speakers focussed on disinformation regarding Israel and the way the media distort the truth, also speaking of the many fields in which Israel is very successful.


During the afternoon the evangelic organisations of Belgium presented performances of Israeli dancing, singing and gospels. Katia Van de Broeck (Koinonia, one of the evangelic organisations) stated: "I hope that next year the new Festival of Peace, in cooperation with B'nai B'rith Antwerp and the local Jewish Community will be as successful. The evangelic churches worldwide support Israel and try to unite as many people as possible to achieve this goal, as you can see on our blue balloons on which we printed: "Shalom-Paix-Salam-Peace".

Ms. Michal Gur-Aryeh, Head Deputy of the Mission of the State of Israel, representing the Israeli Embassy, spent the whole afternoon at this event.

B'nai B'rith Antwerp's stand was also a great success; over 1,500 booklets on "What is B'nai B'rith" were distributed.

A small dark point of the day came up with an anti-Israel demonstration quickly dispersed by the police who confirmed between 1,800 and 2,000 visitors during the whole afternoon.