Antwerp, May 2024 – (press release) A coalition of NGOs, including Al-Haq Europe, 11.11.11, Oxfam, and Peace Action, took the Israeli shipping company ZIM to court.
The Israeli shipping company ZIM came under scrutiny in late 2023 after investigations by Peace Action and International Peace Information Service (IPIS) revealed that it transported as much as 246 tons of munitions from Hamburg through the port of Antwerp. At least ten ships provided that transport with the final destination of the port cities of Ashdod and Haifa in Israel.
On May 15th, 11.11.11, Association Belgo-Palestinienne (ABP), Al-Haq Europe, Broederlijk Delen, De-Colonizer, Intal, Oxfam, Peace Action and Vrede vzw, filed a criminal complaint against ZIM. The organizations are taking the shipping company and unidentified persons to court for violations of the Arms Trade Decree.
“No transit license was requested for any of the passages. If applied for, ZIM would not have obtained such a license either. The Flemish government clearly states not to approve any export or transit of arms to Israel if the end user is the Israeli government, as it would violate several of the criteria in the legislation. This transit is therefore a punishable violation of the Arms Trade Decree”, explains Hans Lammerant of Peace Action. “Given the ongoing occupation and war in Gaza, there is a significant likelihood that that end user will be the Israeli military and there is a clear risk that it will be used in war crimes.”
Criminal complaint filed on Nakba Day
The timing of the organizations’ criminal complaint, May 15, coincides with the commemoration of 76 years of the 1948 ‘Nakba’ or ‘catastrophe’, when more than 800,000 Palestinians were driven from their homes, numerous massacres committed, and more than 531 villages were destroyed.
The Palestinian people commemorate the Nakba as Israel continues to deny them the right to self-determination, subject them to a prolonged military occupation, an apartheid regime, persecution and acts of genocide. Israel’s relentless aggression on Gaza and ground attack on Rafah have forced tens of thousands of people, who had already been displaced several times, out of their shelters and make-shift homes. The ongoing violence creates a risk that people will be forced to leave Gaza as part of a broader campaign of forced displacement, transfer and expulsion. The international community has the power and capabilities to stop this.
Stop all arms transit towards Israel
“The risk of genocide has been clearly named, yet Israel continues its assault on Gaza and the attack on Rafah and countries and corporations continue to fuel this war”, stressed 11.11.11 Director, Els Hertogen. “Belgium must take the lead to stop the export and transit of arms and ammunition towards the Gaza war and press even harder all parties for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.”
