WHY ISRAEL?
Official WHY ISRAEL? artwork: StandWithUs Netherlands presents THEN → NOW → FOREVERMORE!, above a cinematic scene of the parting sea, with stars of David in gold, blue and three orange accents.

An evening in Leuven

WHY
ISRAEL?

THEN → NOW →
FOREVERMORE!

4 NOVEMBER 2026LEUVEN, BELGIUM

Doors open at 19:30Event 20:00–22:00

RegisterDiscover the evening

Exact location shared with registered attendees before the event.

THE EVENING01 / 03

A simple question.
A deeper conversation.

An evening built around a simple but increasingly important question: Why Israel?

Five speakers and five perspectives take us through one connected story. From Jewish faith and identity to academia, media, politics and diplomacy, we explore the connection, the debate and the future.

THENJewish faith
& identity
NOW
AcademiaMediaPolitics
FOREVERMOREDiplomacy
01 / Origins & continuityJewish faith & identity

THEN.

Where does the
connection come from?

Through Jewish faith, Torah and tradition, we explore the ancient and enduring relationship between the Jewish people and Eretz Yisrael. A connection that has remained central to Jewish identity across generations and centuries of exile.

The faith perspective

Ralph Pais

Jewish Faith, Identity & Continuity

Vice-President and Spokesperson of the Jewish Information and Documentation Centre (JID) and a leading voice within Belgium’s Jewish community.

Pais opens the evening through Jewish faith, Torah, tradition and identity. He explores where the connection to Eretz Yisrael originates, why the Land of Israel has remained central across generations, and why this relationship reaches far beyond the establishment of the modern State of Israel.

02 / The contemporary debateAcademia · Media · Politics

NOW.

How is Israel seen,
discussed and treated today?

Israel is one of the most intensely debated countries in modern media, universities and politics. What happens to its story when it enters academia, journalism and political debate?

We examine the contested boundaries between legitimate criticism of Israel, anti-Zionism, double standards and antisemitism. Criticism of Israel is not inherently antisemitic. The question is where, how and why those boundaries are crossed.

01 / Academia

Maarten
Boudry

Critical Thinking, Academia &
the Contemporary Israel Debate

One of Belgium’s most prominent public intellectuals, philosopher of science and acclaimed author.

Known for challenging intellectual orthodoxies, ideological thinking and misinformation, Boudry brings the academic and critical-thinking perspective. His contribution explores evidence, ideological conformity, polarisation and the importance of critical thinking when discussing Israel and other politically charged subjects.

Selected books
  • Illusions for the Advanced
  • Why the World Is Not Going to Hell
  • The Betrayal of the Enlightenment
02 / Media

Mystery guest

Media, Framing & the Story
We Are Told About Israel

Identity to be revealed

A prominent and experienced voice from the world of journalism and public debate.

How is the public image of Israel created? This perspective considers story selection, framing, terminology and sources, alongside unverified claims, corrections and double standards. It examines the influence of headlines and imagery, and when reporting can reproduce antisemitic narratives.

“How much of what we believe about Israel is determined by what happens, and how much by the way the story is told?”
03 / Politics

Sam van Rooy

Politics, Israel, Antisemitism &
a Free Iran

Belgian Member of Parliament and an outspoken defender of Israel, Jewish communities and the struggle for a free Iran.

Van Rooy brings the discussion into the Belgian political arena: how Israel and Zionism are discussed, how hostility towards Israel can affect Belgium’s Jewish community, and where criticism can cross into double standards, delegitimisation or antisemitism.

His perspective also addresses opposition to Islamist extremism and the Iranian regime, and support for Iranians fighting for freedom.

Selected book

In this Dutch-language book, Van Rooy sets out his views on freedom and Islamisation, including passages on Israel and antisemitism.

03 / The world of tomorrowDiplomacy & international relations

FOREVER
MORE!

Why does Israel
continue to matter?

After the origins of the connection and the controversies of the present, we turn towards the future. What comes next, for Israel and for its relationships with the world?

The diplomatic perspective

Mystery guest

Diplomacy, Belgium–Israel Relations
& Israel’s Future

Identity to be revealed

A distinguished senior voice from the world of diplomacy and international relations.

This closing perspective explores Israel’s future on the international stage and the relationship Belgium wants to build with it, through diplomacy, trade, science, innovation, technology, security cooperation and international partnerships.

It also considers boycott initiatives, pressures on institutional and academic cooperation, and Israel’s place in a changing geopolitical order.

“What place will Israel occupy in the world of tomorrow, and what relationship does Belgium want to have with it?”
ONE CONNECTED STORYAN OPEN INVITATION

Beyond the headlines.
Into the conversation.

An evening for people who want to understand Israel beyond headlines, slogans and social media.

University students and young adults are welcome alongside members of the Jewish community, Jewish organisations and community representatives, friends and allies, and anyone interested in Israel, Jewish identity, media, politics and international relations.

Five speakers bring together Jewish faith and identity, academia, journalism, politics and diplomacy to tell different parts of one connected story.

Where does the connection come from?
How did we arrive at today’s debate?
And where do we go from here?

THEN → NOW → FOREVERMORE!

4 November 2026 · Leuven

WHY ISRAEL?

THEN → NOW → FOREVERMORE!

Doors open at 19:30 Event 20:00–22:00

Register for the event

Exact location will be shared with registered attendees prior to the event.