Belgian unions issue call to prevent arms shipment to 'Israel'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
1 Nov 2023 00:43
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Belgium's unions expressed concern that the arms shipments may be destined to arm "Israel" in its ongoing genocide against the people of Gaza.

Passengers prepare to board a plane at Brussels International Airport on November 20, 2014. (AP Photo/Yves Logghe)

Belgian transport workers' unions have called on their members to refuse to handle military equipment being sent to arm "Israel" for use in the genocide in Gaza.

According to a collective statement issued by the ACV Puls, BTB, BBTK, and ACV-Transcom unions, employees at airports have reportedly witnessed the transport of weaponry.

They expressed concern that the shipments may be destined to arm "Israel" in its ongoing genocide against the people of Gaza.

"While a genocide is underway in Palestine, workers at various airports in Belgium are seeing arms shipments in the direction of the war zone," the statement said.

Belgian dockers Belgische Transportbond @btb_abvv block arms to Israel #SolidarityWithPalestine

Refusal to handle military equipment for war in Palestine
While a genocide is underway in Palestine, employees at various airports in Belgium see weapons being sent to a war zone. 1/x https://t.co/qDIbA4UQw7 pic.twitter.com/OvxBLvJbVo
— Alex Gordon #JoinAUnion (@alexgordon4me) October 31, 2023

The Belgian government declined to comment on whether arms were shipped through Belgium, but the unions argue that handling such shipments would contribute to the harming of innocent people.

"We, several unions active in ground logistics, call on our members not to handle any flights that ship military equipment to Palestine/Israel, like there were clear agreements and rules at the start of the conflict with Russia and Ukraine," the unions said.

The unions also urged for an instant cessation of hostilities and requested that the Belgian government refuse to permit arms shipments through Belgian airports.

"As unions, we stand with those who campaign for peace," they said.

Last month, Belgium's Minister of Development Cooperation and Urban Policy, Caroline Gennez, caused controversy after she accused "Israel" of "erasing entire Palestinian villages from the map."