The pressure group SOS Gaza and the Flemish League for Human Rights “Liga voor Mensenrechten" have filed a complaint with the police watchdog Comité P regarding the use of Israeli technology by 11 local police services in Flanders. This complaint follows an investigation by journalists from the Apache website.
The technology from Isreal is allegedly being used for used for mobile data mining, facial recognition using CCTV footage and wireless network infrastructure.
In a joint statement SOS Gaza and the League for Human Rights say that what gives cause for concern are the close links between the companies that have supplied the technology to the Israeli military and the security apparatus that is active in the occupied Palestinian territories. They refer to a ruling by the International Court of Justice in which it described the occupation of the Palestinian territories by Israel as contrary to international law.
“Belgium also has a responsibility that includes the obligation to stop trade or investments that contribute to the illegal occupation, as well prohibiting the aid or assistance to help maintain the illegal occupation” SOS Gaza and the Flemish League for Human Rights say.
They also accuse the Antwerp Local Police Service of playing a pivotal role in helping other Local Police Services to procure technology from Israel without any transparent tender process or prior ethical review.
“There is also firm evidence indicating that Belgian police services, notably the in Antwerp and Ostend police services have been taken part in working visits and counter-terrorism training in Israel. the plaintiffs add.