(JTA) — The head of the European Jewish Association criticized the chief rabbi of Brussels for saying that there is no future for Jews in Europe.

Rabbi Avraham Gigi told an Israeli radio station on Monday about the sense of fear on the streets in Belgium and added that:  “People understand there is no future for Jews in Europe.”

He also stressed the importance of aliyah to Israel, though he added that Jews should make aliyah out of love for Israel not fear.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Rabbi Menachem Margolin, director of the European Jewish Association, said his organization “is determined to continue our work to ensure that the 3 million Jews who live on our continent can continue to command a safe home and to be able to freely and proudly identify themselves as Jews.”

Margolin stressed the development of Jewish communities across Europe, including the opening of new synagogues, Jewish schools, and other community institutions.

“We urge all European rabbis and community leaders to stand up in defense of the right of European Jews to remain in their historic homelands should they choose to, to support and encourage their pride in their European heritage and to similarly fight for their safety and security, as G-d forbid we should instill yet more fear in already very worrying times,”  Margolin said.