Four NGOs – Vredesactie, INTAL, 11.11.11, and the Human Rights League – have launched urgent legal action against the Flemish Government to prevent an Israel-bound container filled with material allegedly used for weapons.
The container, located in the Port of Antwerp, contains components that the NGOs claim are used in tanks and armoured vehicles deployed by the Israeli military in the Gaza Strip. They demand that the container remain at the port.
The case will be heard on Thursday 10 July.
Around one month ago, Vredesactie urged authorities to inspect a container bound for Israel. It contained three pallets of rolling bearings – components that reduce friction between moving parts – transported by the shipping company MSC.
The NGO alleges these bearings are intended for the Israeli defence company Ashot and are used in the production of Merkava tanks and Namer armoured vehicles, which are utilised daily by the Israeli military in Gaza.
Checks too slow
The Strategic Goods Control Service was responsible for conducting checks, yet the NGOs argue the inspection process took far too long. They criticised the Flemish Government for a lack of transparency and communication.
Minister-President Matthias Diependaele's (N-VA) cabinet replied that the container would remain immobile until the investigation concluded, but the NGOs deemed this response inadequate.
"The military purpose of these components is clear, and the container must be stopped," the organisations stated in a press release on Monday. "Diependaele’s response indicates that the authorities are deliberately misapplying or ignoring regulations and failing to inspect.
"With genocide ongoing for 20 months in Gaza, as a party to the Genocide Convention, states have a legal obligation to do everything possible to prevent genocide. Ending all forms of arms transit and export is an absolute minimum."
