A shipment of tapered roller bearings intended for Israeli defence company Ashot, intercepted at the Port of Antwerp, must not leave the port under any circumstances, a Brussels court ruled on Thursday.
The Brussels Court of First Instance has also instructed the Flemish Government to halt all transit of military-related products that cannot be verified as intended exclusively for civilian use. A penalty of €50,000 per violation will be imposed for non-compliance.
Approximately a month ago, the peace organisation Vredesactie urged the inspection of a container headed to Israel from Antwerp. The container contained three pallets of tapered roller bearings, shipped by MSC.
According to the NGO, the shipment originated from a US company specialising in weapon components and was destined for Ashot to be used in Merkava tanks and Namer armoured vehicles, which the Israeli military frequently deploys in Gaza.
Previously, Vredesactie and organisations INTAL, 11.11.11, and the League for Human Rights reported that three other containers with potential military material had already departed Antwerp for Israel. They also discovered that five ships, operated by MSC and one Israeli shipping company, travel monthly between Antwerp and Israel, possibly carrying military equipment.
Action organized by the pacifist organization Vredesactie against an Israeli airline based in Liège accused of transporting weapons from the USA to Israel, in Namur, Thursday 06 February 2025. Credit: Belga
These NGOs, along with Vredesactie, brought a case against the Flemish Region, demanding the detained container be stopped from departing to Israel, and that all similar shipments be prevented.
They argued that by allowing the transit of military goods through Antwerp, the Flemish Government violates its own arms trade laws and international humanitarian law. Their position has now been upheld by the Brussels court.
"The plaintiffs accuse the Flemish Government of insufficiently controlling and intervening in the transit of potentially military-use materials to Israel," stated spokesperson Philippe Vanstapel.
"The court perceives this concern as seemingly justified, referencing violations of international law by the Israeli government, particularly since 7 October 2023, as highlighted by the UN and the International Court of Justice." Vanstapel said.
"In this context, the court reminds the Flemish Government of its responsibility to actively uphold and enforce laws and treaties regarding international arms trade within its jurisdiction," Vanstapel added, mentioning that non-compliance with these orders is subject to a €50,000 penalty per infringement.
