**The Holocaust in Belgium**
**Definition**
The Holocaust in Belgium refers to the systematic persecution, deportation, and extermination of Jews and other targeted groups by Nazi Germany and its collaborators during World War II. Between 1940 and 1945, thousands of Belgian Jews were arrested, deported to concentration and extermination camps, and murdered as part of the broader genocide orchestrated by the Nazi regime.
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## The Holocaust in Belgium
### Historical Context
Belgium was invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany in May 1940 during World War II. The occupation lasted until the liberation by Allied forces in late 1944. During this period, the Nazi regime implemented its racial policies, including the persecution of Jews, Roma, political dissidents, and other groups deemed undesirable. Belgium had a significant Jewish population, including both long-established communities and refugees fleeing persecution in other parts of Europe.
### Jewish Population in Belgium Before the War
Before the German invasion, Belgium was home to approximately 66,000 Jews. The community was diverse, consisting of native Belgian Jews, Eastern European immigrants, and refugees escaping Nazi persecution in Germany, Austria, and Poland. The majority lived in urban centers such as Brussels, Antwerp, and Liège. Antwerp, in particular, was notable for its large and vibrant Jewish community, including many involved in the diamond trade.
### Nazi Occupation and Anti-Jewish Measures
Following the occupation, the German authorities quickly began to impose anti-Jewish legislation in Belgium. These measures were designed to isolate, disenfranchise, and ultimately deport Jews.
#### Legal Discrimination and Social Exclusion
The Nazi administration, with the collaboration of the Belgian authorities and local collaborators, enacted laws that restricted Jewish rights. Jews were required to register with the authorities, wear the yellow Star of David badge, and were banned from many professions and public spaces. Jewish businesses were Aryanized, meaning they were confiscated and transferred to non-Jewish ownership.
#### Registration and Identification
In 1942, the German occupiers mandated the registration of all Jews in Belgium. This registration facilitated the identification and subsequent roundups of Jewish individuals. The Jewish Council of Belgium (Joodsche Raad voor België), established under German orders, was tasked with compiling lists of Jews and managing the community under duress, a role that remains controversial.
### Deportations and Concentration Camps
The most tragic phase of the Holocaust in Belgium was the deportation of Jews to extermination camps, primarily Auschwitz-Birkenau.
#### The Role of the Mechelen Transit Camp
The Mechelen transit camp (also known as the Malines camp) was established in 1942 as the central collection point for Jews and Roma before deportation. Located between Antwerp and Brussels, it was the site where thousands were held in harsh conditions awaiting transport.
#### Deportation Trains
Between August 1942 and July 1944, 28 deportation trains left Mechelen, carrying approximately 25,000 Jews and Roma to Auschwitz and other camps. The majority of those deported were Belgian Jews, including men, women, and children. The deportations were carried out with the assistance of Belgian police and collaborators.
#### Survival and Resistance
While the majority of deportees perished, a small number survived the camps and returned to Belgium after the war. Some Jews managed to evade deportation by going into hiding, often with the help of non-Jewish Belgians, including members of the resistance and ordinary citizens.
### Collaboration and Resistance
#### Collaboration
The Nazi occupation regime was supported by various Belgian collaborators who assisted in the identification, arrest, and deportation of Jews. The Rexist Party and the Flemish National Union (Vlaams Nationaal Verbond) were among the political groups that collaborated with the Nazis. Belgian police forces also played a significant role in rounding up Jews.
#### Resistance and Rescue Efforts
Despite the dangers, many Belgians participated in efforts to resist Nazi policies and protect Jews. The Belgian resistance helped hide Jews, forged identity papers, and facilitated escapes. Notable rescue efforts included those by the Comité de Défense des Juifs (Jewish Defense Committee) and non-Jewish organizations. Some individuals and families risked their lives to shelter Jews, actions later recognized as heroic.
### Impact on the Jewish Community
The Holocaust devastated the Jewish population in Belgium. Of the approximately 66,000 Jews living in Belgium before the war, about 25,000 were deported and murdered. The community was deeply scarred by the loss of life, property, and cultural institutions.
### Post-War Period and Memory
#### Trials and Accountability
After the war, some collaborators were tried and convicted for their roles in the Holocaust. However, many escaped justice or received lenient sentences. The process of reckoning with collaboration and complicity was complex and contentious in Belgian society.
#### Commemoration and Education
Belgium has established memorials and museums dedicated to the Holocaust, including the Kazerne Dossin Memorial in Mechelen, located on the site of the former transit camp. Holocaust education has become an important part of Belgian curricula, aiming to preserve the memory of the victims and promote awareness of the dangers of hatred and intolerance.
#### Survivors and Community Reconstruction
Survivors returned to Belgium after the war, many finding their homes and communities destroyed. The Jewish community gradually rebuilt itself, though it never fully recovered its pre-war numbers. The Holocaust remains a defining event in Belgian Jewish history.
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## Conclusion
The Holocaust in Belgium was a tragic chapter marked by the systematic persecution and murder of thousands of Jews under Nazi occupation. It involved the complicity of local collaborators, the bravery of resistance fighters, and the suffering of a community that was nearly destroyed. The legacy of the Holocaust continues to shape Belgian society’s understanding of human rights, tolerance, and the consequences of hatred.
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**Meta Description:**
The Holocaust in Belgium involved the persecution, deportation, and murder of thousands of Jews during Nazi occupation in World War II. This article explores the historical context, deportations, collaboration, resistance, and post-war memory.