The slogan ‘Free Palestine’ was sprayed on the white cloth surrounding the nativity scene. According to Brussels Mayor Events, the slogan has since been removed. The Brussels police are also investigating.
Since the opening of the Winter Wonderland event, the Brussels nativity scene has been at the centre of a controversy fuelled by political groups.
The figures in the nativity scene have faces made of colourful fabric, which not everyone likes.
To protect the nativity scene, the city of Brussels took new security measures last Monday.
The head of the baby Jesus figure installed in the nativity scene in Brussels’ Grand-Place has been stolen, the spokesperson for the Mayor of Brussels confirmed to Belgium’s RTBF television station on Saturday morning. The disappearance was noticed in the morning.
According to initial findings, the figure was decapitated before the perpetrator disappeared with the rag-made head. ‘I can confirm that it was the rag ball that served as the head of the baby Jesus that was stolen. We are in the process of replacing it,’ said spokesman Victor Kanyanzira.