Did a Belgian insurance company decline to insure a Jewish kindergarten ?
According to Rabbi Menachem Margolin, the general director of the Brussels-based European Jewish Association (EJA), one Belgian insurance company refused to insure an EJA-run Jewish kindergarten in Brussels on the ground that « the risk of a terror attack on the Jewish institution is too high ».
A spokesman for EJA made clear Thursday for The Jewish Chronicle that several insurance companies were approached to that effect, and that only one out of them expressed such « scandalous » and « cynical » views. « We are absolutely not speaking of a blanket refusal to insure Jewish institutions or Jewish schools and kindergartens. Still we think that even one case is shocking enough. »
EJA, which federates many Orthodox Jewish congregations and institutions all over Europe, calls « all European governments and the heads of EU institutions to provide security arrangements for all Jewish institutions that will satisfy insurance companies ». Moreover, it would like « an alternative insurance mechanism » to be considered, « that would secure any institution which may fall victim to anti-Semitic attacks ».
According to professionals, insurance companies are indeed allowed to offer different rates to their prospective customers. However, they are supposed to stay within acceptable limits, especially in cases where insurance arrangements are required by law, as it is the case for public premises and especially for schools.
EJA is concerned that even the display of police or military forces in front or around Jewish institutions is not seen by some insurers as a deterrent against potential terrorist attacks. « This is a very dangerous development which impedes the normal functioning of Jewish life throughout Europe ».
© Michel Gurfinkiel & The Jewish Chronicle, 2015