A container carrying bearings for an Israeli defence company that was intercepted in the port of Antwerp must not leave under any circumstances, a judge in Brussels has ruled.
Foreign News
Flanders must block all transit of military equipment to Israel, judge rules
Published:
The container was detained for inspection earlier this month after suspicions arose about its contents: tapered roller bearings that may be intended as military equipment for Israel.
The cargo, originating in France, was to be shipped to the port of Ashdod, with Ashot Ashkelon Industries the recipient. The Israeli company is known for manufacturing defence components, including for Merkava tanks and Namer armoured vehicles deployed in Gaza.
Thursday’s ruling by the Brussels summary court also says the Flemish government must stop all transit of “defence-related products and other equipment for military use for which there is no material certainty that they are intended exclusively for civilian end use”.
The obligation is subject to a penalty of 50,000 euros per violation.
The court has clearly stated that Flanders has a responsibility in this matter and must stop these goods from being shipped
Tapered roller bearings can be considered “dual-use” goods, usable for both civilian and military purposes. Thanks to their slanted, cone-shaped rollers, they can absorb both lateral and thrust forces simultaneously, making them ideal for heavy-duty applications such as in cars and machines.
Following the interception of the container in Antwerp, the NGO Vredesactie and opposition party Groen called on the Flemish government to intervene, as the destination of the material suggests a military application.
“It’s a historic victory,” Jo Dirix of Vredesactie told VRT NWS after the ruling. “There was already a regulation prohibiting our country from exporting weapons parts to Israel, but these military goods are still being shipped via the port of Antwerp-Zeebrugge. The court has clearly stated that Flanders has a responsibility in this matter and must stop these goods from being shipped.”