Brussels (Brussels Morning newspaper) – Flemish PM Diependaele plans stricter checks on military goods to Israel after a judge criticised the inspection service for missing a suspect container flagged by peace groups in Antwerp.
As VRT News reported, Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele (N-VA) plans stricter checks on military goods to Israel. He said the Flemish government is already trying to improve checks on military goods passing through the region. He spoke on Radio 1’s De ochtend and said the first step would be taken at the end of 2024.
Diependaele also said the Department of Control on Strategic Goods (DCSG) is getting stronger. This department gives out export permits. In September 2024, 2 new workers were added. They are allowed to carry out checks on goods. The department can now watch shipments more closely.
He said it is for the government to consider in the 2026 budget whether additional staff will be necessary. The projects were part of the 2024 Flemish coalition agreement and in the Defence Plan adopted in April 2025.
What triggered the court’s warning on arms to Israel?
The Flemish government has decided to appeal the court’s ruling, even though it has already taken steps to improve checks. This decision caused tension in the government. The party Vooruit said the appeal was made without talking to all partners first.
Matthias Diependaele said the appeal is not to ignore the court, but to better understand the law. The court said the government must stop shipments if there is a risk that they are military goods going to Israel. The government now wants the court to explain what it must do and how to do it. While the appeal continues.
“As a result, Flanders risks legal action from the other side, from the exporting company,
Diependaele says.
They could say:
‘You’re blocking my goods.’ Regarding the specific container, Diependaele reiterated that “no one has the intention of sending those goods to Israel.”
In June 2025, a container travelling from France to Israel was stopped in the port of Antwerp after peace groups raised concerns about what was inside and who it was going to. The container carried 3 pallets of tapered roller bearings, which are parts that can be used in military vehicles. The shipment was meant for Ashot Ashkelon Industries, an Israeli company that makes Merkava tanks and Namer armoured vehicles, both used in Gaza.
Belgian authorities did not stop the shipment on their own. It was only after peace organisations filed a complaint and went to court that the container was held back. The court said that the container could not go any further.
The judge gave a warning to the government, saying it cannot leave legal and treaty responsibilities to citizens who are paying attention. The judge added that the government must take action on its own and not just wait until someone complains.
“It is specifically the Flemish Strategic Goods Control Service, the DCSG, that must ensure that the arms trade decree is enforced,”
explains Nils Duquet, director of the Flemish Peace Institute.
“And that Flemish service must do much more to enforce these rules, the judge says.”
Customs said they only check goods if the Flemish government tells them to. The Flemish government said they only act if customs sees a problem first. This confuses, and no one takes the lead. The Peace Institute said this lets dangerous shipments pass without checks.
The court also said this is a big problem. It said 5 ships go from Antwerp to Israel every month with goods that might need special papers. The judge said other risky shipments may have already happened without being noticed. The court told the government to fix this.
