Aalst lost its UNESCO honors last year because it refused to stop perpetuating negative stereotypes of Jews, and has gone even further with the displays this year.
If the parade goes as planned, “it will be a moral blot on Belgium,” Ambassador to Belgium Emmanuel Nahshon said.
It featured antisemitic figures, including caricatured Jews with money and rats. “We are neither antisemitic nor racist," the mayor said. "Aalst will always remain the capital of mockery and satire."
Aalst mayor: Mocking Jews ‘unavoidable’ in the 2020 carnival
It is the first time that a place or event has been put forth for delisting.
The letter pointed out that while several UNESCO member-states had called for the delisting of the carnival, Belgian officials are reportedly lobbying "for a simple rebuke."
"These ribbons represent a wilful desire to offend,” European Jewish representative says.
Close to 16,000 signatures for online petition to delist ‘antisemitic’ Aalst Carnival from UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
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