On September 11, 2007, Belgian authorities arrested 154 people for participating in a previously banned protest (Civil Disorder). Occurring on the six-year anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, Flemish-speaking far-right political party members representing Vlaams Belang or “Flemish Importance” demonstrated against the so-called “Islamization of Europe” in Brussels.
Citing concerns the demonstration could upset the city’s sizeable Muslim immigrant population, Brussels Mayor Freddy Thielemans banned the demonstration. Vlaams Belang party members and like-minded ultranationalists took to the streets in protest and defied the ban.
Such displays of ultranationalism are increasing and largely characterize a “foreigners out” attitude gaining traction throughout Europe. The most recent instances occurring in Belgium with the anti-“Islamization of Europe” protest, as well as increasing concerns in Germany over growing violence against foreigners in the country are an indication of widespread discontent.
We believe the rising interest in nationalism and subsequent xenophobic behavior in the some parts of the region is likely due to Europe’s increasing role as a high priority terror target.
Authorities Arrest Flemish Demonstrators
On September 11, 2007, the six-year anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, Belgian police arrested upwards of 150 demonstrators in Brussels, Belgium. Demonstrators were participating in an anti-“Islamization of Europe” protest previously banned by Brussels Mayor Freddy Thielemans. Thielemans purportedly imposed the ban amid fears the rally would anger the city’s sizeable immigrant population.
Among those arrested were two prominent personalities representing Belgium’s far-right “Vlaams Belang” or “Flemish Importance” party. A spokesperson for the group confirmed party President, Frank Vanhecke, was among those arrested.
Demonstrators sporting shaved heads and dressed in Belgian nationalist symbols were arrested at the scene.
Additionally, like-minded organizations such as the Dutch group “No Sharia Here” and German “Pax Europa” were also in attendance.
Europe Faces Significant Terror Threat
We believe European nations face a significant threat of terrorist attacks at the hands of both homegrown and foreign terrorists. European authorities continue to make near constant arrests, specifically of those individuals suspected of inciting, funding, or engaging in terrorism.
In the latest incident, on September 17, 2007, a Scottish court convicted Mohammed Atif Siddique from Clackmannanshire, Scotland, of possessing and distributing terrorist materials and providing training materials in weaponry and explosives via the Internet.
Coinciding with the September 11, 2007 arrests in Brussels, in nearby Copenhagen, Denmark, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen called on Muslim religious leaders to, “clearly and in a loud voice distance themselves from extremism and to condemn terrorism by cooperating with the authorities and taking care of young people before they stray too far.” Rasmussen’s appeal comes just one week following a high-profile anti-terrorist sting in Denmark, the third since 2005.
In Paris, Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie warned of a, “real, permanent, and constant” threat of terror attacks on French soil.
Ultranationalism on the Rise
In recent months we have seen a distinct rise in ultranationalism throughout Europe to include Germany, Russia, and now Belgium.
As we previously reported, on August 19, 2007, eight Indian men were injured when approximately 45 right-wing extremists chased them across a market square in Mugeln, Germany (Previous Report). The incident was one of several high-profile racially motivated attacks in the country in recent weeks. The recent racially motivated attacks highlight Germany’s growing propensity for extreme right-wing ideology and serve to illustrate the onset of ultranationalism throughout the region.
Additionally, as we previously reported, on August 12, 2007, a Russian ultranationalist group calling itself “National Socialism/White Power” posted a jarring video of two presumed Russian white nationalists brutally killing two non-white hostages (Previous Report) . In the video two men dressed in street clothes are seen kneeling on the ground in a forested area, their arms and legs bound with rope and duct tape.
We believe violence perpetrated by members of extreme-right wing ideological organizations, as well as civil demonstrations as witnessed in Belgium, underscore an increasing “foreigners out” attitude spreading across Europe.
We believe as European authorities continue to uncover Islamist extremist terror plots European ultranationalism will continue to thrive.