Belgian authorities have intercepted two shipments of military equipment components destined for Israel, according to a report by Declassified UK. The shipments, which arrived from the United Kingdom at Liege Airport on March 24, were scheduled to be flown to Tel Aviv two days later on an Israel-based Challenge Airlines cargo flight.
Adrien Dolimont, head of Belgium’s Wallonia region, confirmed the intervention, stating that authorities were alerted by the NGO Vredesactie. “On Israel-related issues, our position is clear: we do not grant licenses for equipment that would strengthen the military capabilities of the parties involved,” Dolimont said.
While Belgium did not disclose the firms responsible for the shipments, Declassified reported that UK military export codes matched equipment related to military aircraft and fire control systems. The outlet also noted that earlier shipments from the UK to Israel via Liege had been sent by Moog, a US aerospace company with factories in Britain.
The seizure comes amid growing international scrutiny of arms transfers to Israel. Several European countries have canceled weapons deals with Israel over its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, as human rights groups and the United Nations have accused Israel of indiscriminate civilian casualties.
In 2025, Belgium joined South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Israel has rejected the allegations as baseless and an attempt to “pervert the meaning of the term ‘genocide.’”
The incident highlights the increasing pressure on governments to reassess their military export policies in conflict zones, particularly in light of ongoing humanitarian concerns. Belgium’s actions reflect a broader trend of European nations taking a more cautious approach to arms transfers amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
