Hundreds gathered outside Belgium’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in central Brussels on Wednesday evening to protest the Israeli military’s interception of several ships from the humanitarian aid flotilla, Global Sumud Flotilla, while they reportedly were in international waters.
The flotilla, composed of dozens of ships, was en route to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip, which is grappling with a humanitarian crisis following Israeli incursions.
According to the organisation, the Israeli military boarded 13 ships at around 4:00 Belgian time, while 30 other vessels were still en route.
Belgians on intercepted vessels
Protesters in Brussels condemned what they described as an "illegal attack" by the Israeli military and demanded protection for those aboard the ships, including seven Belgian nationals.
At least four Belgian nationals were reportedly on board the intercepted flotilla vessels on Wednesday, according to information shared by the flotilla organisers on Thursday morning.
The Brussels-Capital-Ixelles police zone confirmed that the local protest on Wednesday night occurred peacefully and without incidents.
Separately, around 50 demonstrators reportedly gathered outside the home of Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prévot in Namur late Wednesday to press him to take stronger diplomatic actions.
"We want to show that the consequences of his passivity do not stop at the doors of his office," one protester said in a statement shared by Palestine Action Belgium.
Foreign Minister's response
On Wednesday evening, Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said on social media that his "absolute priority is to ensure that the rights of our compatriots are respected, that their safety is guaranteed and that they can return home as quickly as possible and without hindrance."
Prévot added that his services have "already been mobilised to provide them with consular assistance." He further urged "the Israeli government to respect international law, including maritime law."
Activists have announced further demonstrations and actions online, with a demonstration expected in Brussels on Thursday 2 October. Protestors are expected to gather at 16:30 in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to Bruxelles Today, they are expected to then meet at 19:00 at the Brussels Stock Exchange building before walking to the European Commission building.
Other actions are expected in Ghent, Louvain-la-Neuve, Liège, and Namur.
Similar protests took place in several European cities on Wednesday evening, including Paris, Berlin, Rome, Athens, Stockholm, Istanbul, and Barcelona, to denounce the interception of part of the flotilla.
Israel's war on Gaza was triggered after Hamas launched a terror attack into Israel, killing 1,200 people, and taking 251 hostage, in October 2023. The ensuing Israeli offensive has so far killed over 65,000 people in Gaza according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
Related News
- Calls for release of MEP detained aboard of Gaza-bound aid boat
- Belgian Foreign Minister welcomes US President's plan for Gaza
- Belgian PM recognises Palestine at UN but keeps conditions
- 'Do not wait for a court decision' to talk about genocide - Lahbib
This article was updated to link to an article with extended information on the Belgians on board of the intercepted vessels.
