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Aalst Carnival

Jew jokes: What's funny and what's antisemitic? - explainer

Jokes about Jews have been found throughout history, many made by Jews themselves, who are no strangers to self-deprecating humor. However, antisemitism in comedy is alive and well.

|ByAARON REICH
A FLOAT with an effigy of a Jew is seen during the carnival at Aalst, Belgium, on February 23.
A FLOAT with an effigy of a Jew is seen during the carnival at Aalst, Belgium, on February 23.

Head of Belgium’s Aalst carnival has made antisemitic comments online

The 2019 edition of the annual event featured several floats deemed antisemitic, including ones of Jews depicted as insects.

|ByCNAAN LIPHSHIZ/JTA
A FLOAT with an effigy of a Jew is seen during the carnival at Aalst, Belgium, on February 23.

Jewish humor: When punchlines create punching bags... or worse

Self-deprecating humor not only keeps people humble, it helps people out of difficult situations or keeps them alive.

|ByCHARLES O. KAUFMAN
A FLOAT with an effigy of a Jew is seen during the carnival at Aalst, Belgium, on February 23.

Keeping antisemitism afloat at the Aalst carnival

Sadly, Aalst is not alone. Other European cities believe it is their right and cultural heritage to demonize Jews.

|ByLIAT COLLINS

The Aalst Carnival shows how quickly we forgot 'Never Again'

Sadly, the Aalst parade was not the only European Carnival celebration to feature offensive imagery this week.

FEBRUARY 27, 2020
Giant figures depicting Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel (C) and other politicians are seen during the 87th carnival parade of Aalst February 15, 2015. The Aalst Carnival, which is inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, often shows informal groups

The ugly antisemitism at the Aalst carnival

Some revelers were dressed as insects with fur-lined shtreimels and fake peyot and slogans suggesting that they are parasites.

FEBRUARY 24, 2020
Giant figures are seen during the 87th carnival parade of Aalst February 15, 2015

UNESCO removes carnival from heritage list over antisemitism allegations

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."

DECEMBER 14, 2019
Giant figures depicting Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel (C) and other politicians are seen during the 87th carnival parade of Aalst February 15, 2015. The Aalst Carnival, which is inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, often shows informal groups