Belgium has imposed a ban on the transfer of weapons to Israel on its territory, in a move that signals the European country's disapproval with Israel's conduct in Gaza.
"Belgium has a clear obligation under international law to ensure it does not contribute to violations of international law," Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said in a statement shared with The National.
"This measure, decided by the Council of Ministers in September 2025, closes a gap in our existing framework – dating back to 2009 – by addressing transit, complementing the regional export bans already in place," Mr Prevot, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said.
The decision was taken by royal decree and prohibits the overflight or technical stops on Belgian territory of "aircraft carrying military equipment that would bolster the military capabilities" of military forces that operate in Israel or the occupied Palestinian territories.
The text, dated Thursday, highlighted that the ceasefire struck in October in Gaza remained "fragile". It quoted an International Court of Justice advisory opinion that highlighted a risk of genocide in Gaza. States have a responsibility not to enable the alleged perpetrator – in this case Israel – as long as the risk of genocide persists.
While the decision does not directly ban Belgian arms makers from working with Israel – a decision governed by regional authorities, not the federal government – it renders the transport o weapons impossible because they would require a licence from the federal government.
"Belgium does not supply weapons and ammunition to either Israel or Palestine if these could increase the military potential of the conflicting parties," a source at the Belgian Foreign Ministry said.
Components to be integrated in products manufactured by Israeli companies for third countries or returning to Belgium in case of repairs of equipment can still be exported from Belgium or transit through Belgium, they added.
The decree came into effect on Thursday and was reportedly pushed by Mr Prevot, who has been vocal about the need to maintain pressure on Israel despite a US-brokered ceasefire struck in Gaza last October.
Since then, hundreds of Gazans have been killed by the Israeli military. More than 71,000 Palestinians died in the two-year war launched by Israel after Hamas-led attacks killed about 1,200 in October 2023.
Belgium now joins a handful of EU states to ban weapons exports to Israel. The Spanish Parliament approved a similar measure in October, a few months after Slovenia.
Speaking to The National in September when Belgium, along with nine other states, recognised Palestinian statehood, Mr Prevot called for more sanctions against Israel. "It's really the only way to ever change the attitude of the Israeli government," he said.
In October, Mr Prevot said he struck a deal with the regions of Wallonia and Flanders to ban weapons transfers to Israel. "Flanders had a very rigorous system in place. Wallonia had wanted to take initiatives, but its decree was overturned," he added.
Mr Prevot told national broadcaster RTBF that he demanded "guarantees that humanitarian aid can be delivered massively to Gaza. That's why we are maintaining our battery of sanctions".
In 2009, Belgium decided against issuing arms export licences that would strengthen Israeli military forces, although goods could be sent to Israel in some cases, such as if they were to be exported to a third country.
Pro-Palestinian groups in Belgium have said that decision was not fully respected. Four sued the Flemish government, which oversees the second largest container port in Europe, in the coastal city of Antwerp. A court decision issued last summer ordered the local government to block the transit of military goods to Israel.
The judge supported their position by referring to Israel's documented breaches of international law in Gaza since October 7, 2023. References were made to breaches of international humanitarian law, the laws of war and the Genocide Convention established by the UN and the International Court of Justice.
In 2024, a Belgian company named Cargo Airlines was able to transfer goods destined for Israel, Le Soir reported. It reportedly took advantage of a legislative loophole that did not require a request for a permit as long as cargo did not leave the plane.
US transport company FedEx is also under investigation in Belgium after local media reported it had transported F35 components from US military bases to Israel through Belgium.
