Belgian court halts arms transit to Israel via Flanders

A Belgian court has ordered the Flemish regional government to suspend all military transit to Israel via its territory, citing violations of international humanitarian law, Belgian news agency Belga reports.

The ruling follows legal action by four human rights organisations who argued that weapons passing through the Port of Antwerp risk contributing to war crimes in Gaza. The court concluded that Flanders failed to properly assess whether arms transfers to Israel were compatible with Belgium’s international obligations.

At the centre of case is a container with parts produced in France, headed for Israeli defence contractor Ashot Ashkelon Industries. The container was intercepted in Antwerp last month.

Local Flemish law prohibits the export or transit of goods directly supporting the Israeli Defence Forces, the IDF.

With the ruling, the local Flemish government is obliged to enforce arms trade rules and impose penalties of €50,000 for each violation, Belga reports.

The Flemish government appealed the verdict immediately. Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele questioned “the validity, impact and scope of this judgment, which appears far removed from reality.”

One of the plaintiffs, civil rights NGO 11.11.11 celebrated the ruling. "This verdict must be the starting point for true political responsibility," the organisation wrote in a press release.

Last month, the UK's High Court refused to intervene and stop British manufacturers' involvement in Israel's US-produced F-35 fighter jets. Italian, Danish and Dutch companies are also subcontractors to the F-35 programme.

(aw)