In recent days, more and more red lines have appeared in various shop windows in the trendy Dansaert district of the Brussels downtown. Like a number of hospitality outlets the retailers are drawing a red line to show their solidarity with the people of Palestine and are protesting against the ongoing violence and the lack of sanctions against the state of Israel. More than 30 businesses are now participating in the campaign, which was launched at the end of last week.
The campaign was inspired by earlier initiatives by cultural institutions that spoke out against the violence in Gaza. ‘As retailers rooted in the heart of Brussels, we cannot remain silent in the face of the unbearable suffering in Gaza,’ says initiator Ilse Casaer of interior design shop Kazar on the Varkensmarkt. ‘We may not be politicians, famous Flemings or stage performers, but we are visible. We have shop windows and we have a voice. That's how we create some “visual noise”, Mr De Wever.’
(Earlier federal PM Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist) said he would not let himself be carried away by noise in the outside world.)
The business people are demanding that Belgium take action. ‘All the red lines have been crossed for far too long and our governments are doing nothing,’ says Casaer. ‘We cannot remain idly standing by. That would make us complicit. This is a real disgrace. Belgium must and can do more.’
Around 30 businesses have now joined the protest, with more joining every day. ‘Hopefully, the red line will be extended throughout the city,’ concludes Casaer.