Belgians advised not to wear Kippot

As reported in yesterdays Jerusalem Post.

Granted, I am not suprised by this, as this is already the case for Jews of France, and I imagine this will spread to Jews residing in other countries in Europe. However, the leader of the jewish community in Belgium gave a very interesting answer as to why it is in fact better for the Jews not to wear kippot which I thought you might appreciate.

Phillip Marcovits, head of the Belgian Jewish organizations steering committee stated that by Jews not wearing kippot, "Jews would demonstrate their civic consciousness and contribute to Belgium's democratic and liberal charachter. It would also set the Jews apart from Muslims, he said, who display their religious affiliation at every opportunity".

In my mind, it is one thing to come out and say that Jews shouldn't wear kippot or other Jewish symbols b/c of anti-Semitism, but to say that in order to be good liberal, democratic citizens of Belgium they shouldn't wear them is ridculous in my mind. Isn't democracy and liberalism about pluralism and tolerance? He attempts to cast the Muslims in a negative light b/c they are proud of their heritage and weren't afraid to show it, yet I beleive that if only more Jews were proud to be indentified and walk around as Jews we would be better off (both in Israel and the Diaspora).