A small Israeli-owned food chain in Belgium has shut down and filed for bankruptcy after what its owners described as sustained harassment linked to Israel’s war on Ga-za. Boker Tov, which once operated four restaurants across Antwerp and branded itself as a Tel Aviv-inspired Levantine eatery, is among several Israeli-linked establishments across Europe that have closed following boycott campaigns that intensified after October 7, 2023.

Co-owner Tom Sas told Belgian media that the backlash began with negative reviews and gestures but escalated into mass online abuse, threats, graffiti and calls for boycotts. Despite political support, including a visit by Antwerp mayor and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, footfall and sales declined sharply. The owners said they even considered rebranding, arguing that any visible association with Israel had become financially and emotionally untenable.

The closure comes amid wider scrutiny of Israeli cuisine abroad, with critics, particularly Pales-tinians, accusing Israel of cultural appropriation of foods such as falafel, hummus and shawarma. While Israeli food had enjoyed global popularity over the past decade, the war on Ga-za has triggered renewed protests and boycott efforts, significantly affecting Israeli-linked cultural and commercial ventures across Europe.