Ken Loach slams Belgium MP claims of 'anti-Semitism' due to BDS support

British director Ken Loach has criticised Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel after the official accused him of anti-Semitism following his outspoken position against Israeli violations in the occupied Palestinian Territories.

Michel had slammed the Free University of Brussels which issued Loach an honorary PhD, saying the director should not have received the award because of his comments about Israel and its policy towards the Palestinians, the Guardian reported.

Speaking at the Brussels Grand Synagogue on Wednesday to mark the 70th anniversary of the foundation of Israel, Charles, who graduated from the Free University of Brussels, said that the university should drop Loach’s PhD because of his attitudes towards Israel.

“No accommodation with anti-Semitism can be tolerated, whatever its form. And that also goes for my own alma mater,” Michel said.

After being awarded the honorary PhD, Loach said he was shocked that Michel had criticised the university for giving him the award.

“Now, he’s a lawyer, Mr Michel … Did he, I wonder, ask about the breaches of international law committed by Israel?” Reuters reported Loach asking.

“Did he ask about the illegal occupation of Palestinian lands?” the 81-year-old added.