Watan-The Belgian news agency reported that a Brussels court on Thursday ordered the Flemish regional government to stop all transfers of military equipment to Israel.
The region includes the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, one of the largest and busiest seaports in Europe.
The ruling follows lawsuits and activism by human rights organizations in Belgium, who have criticized the Belgian government’s role in allowing arms shipments to Israel while the Gaza war continues. Since October 2023, over 38,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, mostly civilians, leading to international legal challenges accusing Israel of genocide.
Belgium, particularly the Flemish region, has been under fire for allowing military dual-use goods and weapons components to be exported via the Port of Antwerp-Bruges — a major logistical hub.
Several NGOs, including Vredesactie (Peace Action), argued that continuing these transfers violates international humanitarian law, particularly given the ICJ’s provisional measures requiring states to prevent genocide.
The court’s decision is a significant precedent in Europe, potentially influencing similar legal efforts in Germany, the Netherlands, and France, where port facilities have also been linked to arms shipments bound for Israel.
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