Belgian transport unions will stop all weapons shipments to Israel

SHAH ALAM - Belgian transport workers' unions on Tuesday called on their members to refuse the handling of military equipment being sent to Israel to attack Palestine and target Hamas members.

The ACV Puls, BTB, BBTK and ACV-Transcom unions said in a joint statement that airport workers have seen arms shipments and that 'a genocide' was underway in Palestine.

They said loading or offloading these weapons would mean they were helping the organisations with the ability to kill innocent people.

"While a genocide is underway in Palestine, workers at various airports in Belgium see weapons leaving for a war zone.

“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 statement said.

The unions also called for an immediate ceasefire and asked the Belgian government to not tolerate arms shipments through Belgian airports.

The trade unions also expressed solidarity with those who advocate peace in the Middle East.

A Belgian government spokesperson, as quoted by Reuters, declined to comment on whether arms were shipped to the region via the country.

The Israeli army has expanded its air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since Hamas, launched a surprise operation in Israel on Oct 7.