Jewish man says he was beaten on Brussels metro by 3 assailants making antisemitic comments, Star of David necklace stolen

A Jewish man says he was assaulted inside the Brussels metro on Friday, and his Star of David necklace was ripped off his neck by three assailants who made antisemitic comments.

The alleged victim, 41-year-old David Sierzant Acitores, writes on social media that three men attacked him on the train after asking for directions

They jumped on him, held him down, and punched him repeatedly in the face, knocking off his glasses and tearing his shirt, he says. They made antisemitic comments and took his gold chain and Star of David pendant, but not his wallet or phone, says Acitores.

Acitores says he tried to chase the attackers after they fled, but couldn’t find them without his glasses.

He says he filed a police report and hopeד the attackers will be identified using surveillance camera footage.

There is no comment from police.

Acitores writes on social media that he is looking for help recovering the gold chain and pendant, which he says was a gift from his father and had been in the family for almost 30 years.

Some Belgian politicians quickly denounce the attack.

Jamal Ikazban, a member of the Brussels Parliament and leader of the Socialist Party group, blasts the “unacceptable” attack.

“It is unacceptable to be attacked in Brussels because you are Jewish or because you wear a Star of David,” he wrote. “It is equally unacceptable to be harassed and insulted because you are Jewish. I hope that the perpetrators will be identified and punished.”

“Nothing, I mean nothing, can justify this violence and hatred,” says lawmaker Ahmed Laaouej. “This antisemitic aggression is sick.”