Belgian lawmaker tramples Israeli flag at pro-Assad rally

THE HAGUE, the Netherlands (JTA) — A Belgian lawmaker trampled the Israeli flag at a support rally for Hezbollah and Syrian President Bashar Assad held in front of Israel’s embassy in Brussels.

Laurent Louis, an independent member of the lower house of Belgium’s Federal Parliament, posed for pictures while standing on an Israeli flag on June 2.

Wearing a ceremonial ribbon in the colors of the Belgian flag, Louis posed for pictures while standing on an Israeli flag, which was later set on fire. In one picture, he is seen holding up a portrait of Bashar Assad and a Hezbollah flag.

People in the crowd of 100 also waved Russian and Chinese flags.

Louis was interviewed at the demonstration by the Syrian national television channel. “Europe is being used in the conflict [against Syria] as a tool in the hands of Israel, the rogue state,” he said.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwnB6-52Vaw

By Wednesday, more than 2,200 people had signed an online petition for Louis’ impeachment in connection with the demonstration.

Louis, 33, entered parliament as a representative of the small center-right People’s Party, but has been kicked out and now remains in parliament as a non-partisan.

Hezbollah last month confirmed its involvement in a civil war that erupted in Syria two years ago and has claimed 80,000 lives, according to estimates.

Israel and the French government have said they possess evidence that Assad’s forces have used chemical weapons against rebels.