Tim Van Anderlecht

Living & working in #Istanbul. Passionate introvert. Running & Triathlon. Coffee. Bread. Books. #Antwerp junkie: city and RAFC. Tweets are my own.

[Maxime PREVOT @prevotmaxime]

🇺🇦 Russia does not attack cities like this because it wants peace.

Last night, Kyiv was the main target of a massive Russian strike. Missiles and drones hit homes, schools, a market and essential infrastructure. People were killed. Dozens were injured. Rescue teams are still working through the destruction.

Whatever narrative Russia may put forward, the facts remain clear: civilians were struck, residential areas were hit, and there is no justification for attacks that terrorise an entire population.

The reported use of an Oreshnik missile is another chilling signal. These weapons are designed not only to destroy, but to intimidate, exhaust and break the spirit of a nation.

It will not succeed.

Belgium condemns these attacks in the strongest possible terms. My deepest condolences go to the victims, their families and all those who woke up once again to fear, loss and devastation.

We are working with our partners to further strengthen Ukraine’s air defences. And we will continue to push for maximum pressure on Russia’s war economy.

Every night like this reinforces our resolve. Belgium stands with Ukraine.

@BelgiumMFA @BelgiumUkraine

[Maxime PREVOT @prevotmaxime]

🇱🇻🇪🇪🇱🇹 Russia accuses Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania of preparing hostile actions. Pure fantasy.

This from a country that has invaded its neighbour, bombs civilians daily, deports children, and runs a huge disinformation machine. The same country that is responsible for recent incidents with drones in the Baltic, and then cries provocation. The absurdity would be laughable but this is jeopardizing security.

Latvia has categorically denied these allegations as disinformation. Because that is exactly what they are.

Belgium stands in full solidarity with Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. A threat against one Member State is a threat against our entire Union and against NATO.

@BelgiumMFA

[Bloomberg HT @BloombergHT]

Belçika İstanbul Başkonsolosu Tim Van Anderlecht:
📍 Belçika Ekonomik Misyonu ile 250'den fazla şirketten 450 kişiyi getirdik.
📍 Belçikalı şirketler Türkiye'ye her zaman ilgi duymuştur.

[Maxime PREVOT @prevotmaxime]

🇺🇸 Mr. Ambassador @BillWhiteUSA,
I urge you to exercise greater restraint and to view your role in its proper context. It is inappropriate to publicly criticize a country and tarnish its image simply because you disagree with judicial proceedings. I have already told you this. Would you consider it acceptable for our Ambassador in Washington to do the same?

In Belgium, the judiciary is independent and makes its decisions—whether one agrees with them or not—free from any political influence.

I recall that the proceedings in question were initiated by representatives of the Jewish community themselves. To portray those as a country’s desire to undermine the religious freedom of Jews is defamatory. This freedom has never been called into question and never will be in our country. Our Constitution protects it.

And it is not for an ambassador to dictate the government’s agenda.

@BelgiumMFA @StateSEAS @SecRubio @DeputySecState

[Tim Van Anderlecht @timvanan]

@HaussernotC Kc3

[Maxime PREVOT @prevotmaxime]

Dear Minister Sa'ar,

Belgium is home to one of Europe's oldest Jewish communities. We are proud of that. And we will do everything to keep it that way.

When a synagogue is targeted, we are outraged. When graves are desecrated, we are disgusted. When Jewish students face harassment, we want consequences.

And we act, every day. A national antisemitism coordinator leads an interfederal mechanism where Jewish community leaders sit as permanent partners. Our prosecutors work under explicit zero-tolerance instructions for hate crimes. Courts convict those who spread hatred and Holocaust denial, under laws that go beyond European minimum standards. Our new Criminal Code, entering into force in April 2026, makes discriminatory motive an aggravating circumstance for every single crime.

When the threat demands it, we protect. Since October 7, 2023, every Jewish school, synagogue and community centre operates under reinforced police surveillance.

But Belgium's approach goes far beyond repression and protection. We invest in prevention, education and resilience, because that is how you root out hatred for good. Our schools teach about the Holocaust and contemporary antisemitism with dedicated IHRA-aligned programmes. The Jewish Museum of Belgium runs a project bringing Jewish life, culture and identity into classrooms across the country. Football fans caught chanting antisemitic slurs are sent to Kazerne Dossin - the memorial site from which Jews were deported - for mandatory education programmes, with intake, guided visits and supervised reflection. The federal government has commissioned dedicated research into online antisemitism, mapping hate speech patterns, platforms and policy responses. And since April 2024, police register antisemitic incidents under a dedicated indicator, because you cannot fight what you do not measure.

Is it enough? As long as one Jewish Belgian feels unsafe walking to shul, we have work to do. We carry that responsibility every single day.

Now, Minister Sa'ar, let's be honest with each other.

You mention the case of mohels in Antwerp. The judicial investigation was initiated following a complaint by a member of the Jewish community itself, concerning a specific medical practice. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of ritual circumcisions are performed legally in Belgium every year, without any interference. Presenting this as persecution of Jewish life is a distortion of the facts.

And it is part of a pattern. You have taken the real fears of real people and turned them into an argument against Belgium's foreign policy. Jewish Belgians deserve our full protection. They do not deserve to be used as leverage in a dispute about international law.

Let me be precise. We suspended consular services for Belgian citizens established in settlements that the International Court of Justice has declared illegal. This applies regardless of religion, nationality or background. It is an application of international law, nothing more, nothing less.

And let us not be naive about what is really happening here. Ever since Belgium chose to firmly condemn all violations of international law, some Israeli leaders have pursued a campaign of amalgamation, deliberately conflating our principled legal positions with antisemitism. That narrative is false.

International and Israeli studies confirm this. The 2026 Annual Report of Tel Aviv University warns explicitly that the inflationary use of the term antisemitism undermines the fight against real anti-Jewish hatred. The same report finds no evidence of broad societal antisemitic sentiment in Belgium, nor of political parties that support or normalise antisemitism. It highlights that Jewish representatives in Antwerp describe their cooperation with police and authorities as effective and reliable.

We will protect our Jewish community with everything Belgium has. We will always listen to their concerns. And we will keep calling out violations of international law, by anyone.

[David Criekemans @DavidCriekemans]

Een woord van diep respect gaat naar onze voltallige diplomatie op alle beleidsniveaus. Laat het besef maatschappelijk en politiek doordringen dat het investeren in onze diplomatie en BZ cruciaal is. Er werd en wordt zeer hard werk geleverd achter de schermen, elke dag opnieuw.

[The Aesthetic City @Aesthetic_City]

At the end of the 19th century, an exciting new architectural style emerged that would rapidly spread across Europe:

Art Nouveau.

However, it would die out as quickly as it appeared...

I went to Antwerp and Brussels to photograph some of the highlights. A short 🧵

[Tim Van Anderlecht @timvanan]

@dieworkwear I can feel a collar gap coming...!

[Maxime PREVOT @prevotmaxime]

🇺🇦🤝🇧🇪 Ukraine, count on us !
We will always stand by your side. By the side of the country which has been fighting so hard for its freedom for 3 years. A country whose sovereignty and territorial integrity have been violated. Together, we must rise to this challenge. For a just, comprehensive and lasting peace. Belgium and the EU will remain on the right side of history. @ZelenskyyUa

[Bart De Wever @Bart_DeWever]

We stand behind Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in their historic fight to defend themselves against an unprovoked Russian aggression. Their fight is our fight. United we are strong. 🇺🇦

[Tim Van Anderlecht @timvanan]

Running + Istanbul + 🇧🇪.

Three of my favourites; all in one picture!

[Jennifer Eremeeva @JWEremeeva]

My 8-Hour Guide is just what you need to help you discover the enchanting medieval charm of Bruges, Belgium! This picturesque city is a true gem with its cobblestone streets, romantic canals, and stunning Gothic architecture. https://t.co/wdwSCydwlf

[Tim Van Anderlecht @timvanan]

Buyukada 10k race, the most beautiful running competition in istanbul! #buyukadayarimaratonu

[Tim Van Anderlecht @timvanan]

On your next trip to Istanbul, please visit the newly reopened Chora church = Kariye Mosque!

With Ravenna the best preserved Byzantine mosaics and frescos in the 🌍

[Tim Van Anderlecht @timvanan]

Early morning 🌅 to participate in Istanbul’s annual triathlon 🏃🏊🚴

🏊‍♂️ in the Bosporus
🚴 from Europe 🇪🇺 to Asia
🏃 along a historic castle 🏰

@TurkiyeTriatlon

[Tim Van Anderlecht @timvanan]

Proud finisher of the Cross Bosphorus Swimming Race 🏊‍♂️ @2kita1yaris

[Tim Van Anderlecht @timvanan]

@hendrik_velde @BelgiumMFA @BelgiumAnkara @BelgiumDGB @EUDelegationTur Welkom!

[The Cultural Tutor @culturaltutor]

Bruges is known as the "Venice of the North" because of its many canals and beautiful architecture.

But it's not only a pretty place — Bruges also reshaped global history.

How? It's where the world's first ever stock exchange was set up, over 700 years ago...

[TheCourtsideNews @TheCourtsideNws]

Everyone talking bout Simone Biles, but with all due respect, Nafi Thiam starts another Olympic title defense tomorrow & if she three-peats the heptathlon, she goes down as the greatest woman’s athlete of all time.