Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Petra de Sutter opposes Israel’s war in Gaza. (via twitter)
Just a few weeks into 2024, we already have strong candidates for the “Worst Party of the Year” award. Attend the somber celebrations marking Belgium’s assumption of the rotating presidency of the European Union.
Brave little Belgium will only deserve a toast in the coming months if its leaders match their words with their actions.
Deputy Prime Minister Petra de Sutter is an outspoken opponent of Israel’s war in Gaza.
She suggested that Belgium should support South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention. Earlier, she called for an end to the “association agreement” that underpins relations between the EU and Israel.
De Satter’s position is certainly better than many others in the Western ruling elite, but she must be encouraged to go further.
It is noteworthy that her comments over the past few months do not directly refer to investments in Belgium by the Israeli arms industry.
De Sutter was born in Oudenaarde, a region near the Flemish city of Ghent.
Oudenaarde is also home to OIP, a company owned by Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems.
That truth is often hidden.
OIP presents itself as an important contributor to the local economy, giving the impression that it has sprung from Flemish soil like endive or cabbage. At last year’s Paris Air Show, a major arms trade show, it had a booth in the Belgian pavilion instead of the Israeli pavilion, and was represented by its parent company Elbit.
Fredi Versluis, head of OIP, has long maintained that his Oudenaarde factory does not produce materials for Israel. In 2013, he said it was impossible to obtain the necessary export permits from Flemish authorities.
His claims are contradicted by official reports from Flanders, the region where OIP operates.
According to the latest available reports, Flanders issued 10 licenses for arms exports to Israel during 2022.
The total value of these permits exceeded $2 million.
OIP was acquired by Elbit over 20 years ago. This has undoubtedly helped the parent company expand its international operations and find new opportunities to export tested weapons against the Palestinians.
Merchant of death friendly
Among other things, OIP manufactures equipment that allows sniper rifles to be used under cover of darkness, as well as specialized cameras for various military vehicles and naval vessels.
The company also makes night vision goggles for military helicopter pilots. Items approved by the state of Flanders for export to Israel include night vision goggles.
Petra de Sutter’s complaints over the past few months do nothing to offset Belgium’s general goodwill towards Israel and its merchants of death.
Philip Buskin was one particularly kind politician. He was Belgian Commissioner of the European Commission (EU Executive) from 1999 to 2004.
In that capacity, he promoted Israel’s increased participation in the EU’s scientific research programs. As a result, weapons manufacturers like the aforementioned Elbit Systems benefited heavily from EU subsidies.
Buskin rejected an appeal to exclude Israel from the program, citing the injustices it inflicts on Palestinians. Through a recent freedom of information request, we learned that the Technion, an Israeli university, praised Baskin for his actions.
In a 2002 letter (see below), the Technion thanked Buskin for his “continued support and favorable attitude toward Israeli science.”
The Technion is helping Israel’s weapons industry develop new tools to kill and injure Palestinians. That was the kind of cooperation for which Buskin showed a “favourable attitude.”
Brave little Belgium has never really stood in solidarity with the Palestinians. Until it stops doing business with Israel’s arms industry, Israel will remain on the side of its oppressors.
