Oudenaarde (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A security package appeared at the OIP installation situated in Oudenaarde. OIP serves as a manufacturer of sensors, which operates as a subsidiary of the Israeli defense company Elbit.
An explosive object was found in a parcel at the OIP building located in Oudenaarde, which led to the evacuation of the workers. A manufacturer of sensor technology and an offshoot of an Israeli firm, Elbit Systems, OIP, was the first to report the shoot to the authorities. Emergency forces, including the bomb disposal squad, DOVO, were alerted to the scene.
Police reported that all the employees were safe and were allowed to leave after they had come out of their working shift. Further, a 100-meter security perimeter was put in place and the officials confirmed that there was no risk of harm to businesses or the N60 access road nearby.
“It was the end of the shift and the workday, so no one is in danger at this time,”
says police chief Joost Duhamel.
The inconvenience is, therefore, limited.
“The package came by post and is isolated in a safe place. There is therefore no danger to the surrounding companies and the N60 access road.”
What is OIP’s connection to Elbit systems, and why is it a target?
Oudenaarde-based OIP is a division of Elbit Systems, Israel’s biggest defence company, with a $5.5 billion turnover in 2022. OIP is involved in highly sensitive sensors and targeting technology, which is applicable to unmanned aerial vehicles and armored vehicles, among other military equipment.
Since the company was taken over by Elbit in 2008, demonstrations have been held by Palestinians in various parts of the world, who claimed that Elbit provides arms to the Israelis in Palestine. This happened in September of 2023 when several activists belonging to the Belgian Palestinian Association protested and prevented entry into OIP with an arms embargo.
Analyzing the OIP data of the current few years it is clearly assess able that incidences of security have enhanced significantly. A week later in November 2023, the delivery of a white powder in envelope led to the hazardous materials incident though it was not toxic. On average, Belgian federal police recorded at least five demonstrations in support of Palestinians against OIP since last year.
The company has a workforce of 120 employees in Oudenaarde and is situated in a highly secure manner due to activities in the defence sector. The main business, OIP, is owned by Elbit, which has been in the spotlight before human rights organisations, which have accused it of being connected to airstrikes in Gaza, which the company has refuted.
