Disturbing anti-Semitic announcement made on Belgian train

Authorities are investigating the origins of a disturbing announcement targeting Jewish passengers in late January on Belgium’s state-owned rail company SNCB/ NMBS. On the 31st of last month, as the train bound for Liege arrived at Ottignies, an unidentified person used the train’s intercom to announce: “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are travelling to Auschwitz. All Jews are requested to alight in order to take a shower.”

Although it is believed to have been a youth prank, not all are treating it as a laughing matter. Officials at SNCB/ NMBS have filed a complaint with authorities and have strongly condemned the action, reassuring Jewish organisations that the incident is not something they are taking lightly.

This is not the first time an announcement like this has been made. In 2012 a similar incident occurred also requesting Jewish passengers to disembark in Auschwitz.