Ypres – Approximately 15 activists, including Geert Vanlangendonck and Riane Malfait, have initiated a hunger strike at St. Peter’s Church in Ypres to protest the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to compel government action, reports 24brussels.
The hunger strike aims to raise awareness about the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where food shortages are rampant. Participants are inviting others to join the protest by refraining from food for one or more days as a show of solidarity with the Palestinian population.
Organizers insist that this initiative is not merely a supportive gesture; it is a strategic effort to pressure authorities into action. Vanlangendonck noted, “It changes a bit each day who participates.” He added that while some participants gather at the church, others are striking from home, including members of St. Sixtus Abbey in Westvleteren, consuming only tea or water.
Activists in Ypres challenge political decisions over Gaza crisis
The hunger strikers are aiming to influence political policy at both the Flemish and federal levels. Riane Malfait from the leper Peace Collective articulates their stance: “We want an end to diplomatic, economic, and military cooperation with the Israeli government and army.”
She emphasized the need for the Belgian government to adhere to international law, specifically referencing the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Malfait calls for Belgium to also extend support to all Palestinian refugees and asylum seekers in Europe.
In addition to national demands, the activists have addressed the Ypres Council, urging local authorities to take definitive actions that demonstrate solidarity with Palestinians suffering in the conflict. Malfait asserts, “The city council must help pressure the federal and Flemish governments to show their true colours.”
She further demands more vocal condemnation of the situation, the pursuit of sanctions against Israel, and an immediate ceasefire.
The protest will include various activities at St. Peter’s Church throughout the week, such as workshops, musical performances, lectures, silent reflection circles, and film screenings. The combination of symbolic protest and educational initiatives aims to enhance public discourse regarding the Gaza crisis.
On the final night of the protest, participants intend to amplify voices through poetry and written works that criticize the atrocities occurring in Gaza and the indifference toward them. Vanlangendonck remarked, “We can and must do better.”
Hunger strikes have become a repeated form of protest in Belgium against the Gaza war. In February 2025, activists conducted a hunger strike in Brussels to spotlight the humanitarian crisis and call for government intervention. A similar strike occurred in March 2025 in Ghent, organized by local peace groups and solidarity networks. The current protest in Ypres began on August 25, 2025, continuing the effort to highlight the hardships faced by Palestinian civilians.
