The front of the Béguinage Church, where the hunger strikes are housed. 16.06.2025. By Sanjee Goonetilake
Catholic Priest, 81, amongst those hunger striking for Gaza in Brussels
László Molnárfi
A group of more than 50 people have registered to take part in a five-day hunger strike demanding justice for Gaza, organizers say. At the launch, held in Béguinage Church in the heart of Brussels on Monday, speakers highlighted the European Union’s ‘hypocrisy’ on the Israel-Palestine war, the necessity of allowing humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and appealed to those in power to act in line with international law by sanctioning Israel.
Daniel Alliet, the Catholic priest of the church, aged 81, is taking part in the hunger strike. He opened the doors of his church to the hunger strikers and is co-organizing the action with advocacy group Palestinian Refugees for Dignity. A follower of liberation theology, a brand of left-wing politics which sees a duty to stand up to injustice in the scriptures, he believes Jesus was a ‘political revolutionary’. Especially prevalent in Latin America from the 60s until the 80s, it was embodied in Ireland by priest Des Wilson who was credited with preparing the ground for the Northern Ireland peace process.
When asked whether Catholics and followers of other religions have a duty to stand up to injustice, Alliet stated “I said, if I become priest, it will be for the people who have difficulty. When they killed Jesus, it was not because he was simply too good. What he was saying was things have to change. That is for me the essence of the evangelium. If this is not there, there is no evangelium”. He is appealing to the European Union to end its ‘double-standard’ on Gaza, adding that “if you do not battle for their dignity, you lose your own dignity. That is the question. If we do nothing, we are Christian no more”. One of his main inspirations is Hélder Câmara, author of the famous quote “when I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor, they call me a communist.”
Daniel Alliet, posing in front of quotes from various scriptures around the world on the need to stand up against injustice, 16.06.2025. By László Molnárfi
The church has a unique history of political engagement. In 1998-1999, refugees fleeing political persecution occupied its grounds to demand the Belgian government expedite their regularisation process and in protest of the police brutality which led to the death of one of their peers, Semira Adamu. Since then, it has been known for its advocacy for vulnerable groups in society, including housing homeless refugees, earning the name the ‘House of Compassion’.
Inside of the Béguinage Church, where the hunger strikes are housed. 16.06.2025. By László Molnárfi
Palestinian journalist Omar Karim is one of the organizers, and participants, of the hunger strike. “This church has always been politically active, but it is even more so now. They want to have this action and to be part of this. It is a very big move,” he says, adding that he is confident this action will inspire the pro-Palestine movement and inspire broader change. Just one day before the hunger strike started, a 111,000-strong crowd took to the streets in Brussels demanding justice for Palestine, mounting pressure on the authorities to let the EU-Israel Association Agreement lapse, which is due to expire on June 23rd 2025.
Since October 7th, Israel’s military actions in Gaza have killed at least 55,362 people and wounded 128,741, sparking worldwide protests. In January 2024, International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a preliminary ruling stating Israel is plausibly committing genocide, binding the country to implement measures for the protection of civilian lives. Later, in November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, and Yoav Gallant, the former Minister of Defense of Israel for alleged war crimes. All countries which have signed up to these international treaties are required to assist the rulings to prevent genocide and enforce the arrest warrants.
Group of hunger strikers inside the Béguinage Church. 16.06.2025. By László Molnárfi