Brussels – Belgium
In Response to Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s Statement on Not Arresting Israeli War Criminals
Handala Association in Belgium strongly condemns the recent statements made by the new Belgian Prime Minister, in which he expressed his belief that Belgium would not arrest the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, should he enter its territory for the purpose of being handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
This complacent stance reflects a dangerous complicity with the ongoing crimes committed against the Palestinian people—particularly in Gaza, which is currently facing a campaign of genocide aimed at forcibly displacing its population.
Handala Association views this position as a serious regression from the previous stance of the Belgian government. We remind all that the 125 member states of the International Criminal Court, established in 2002 under the Rome Statute, are obligated to abide by the court’s decisions and cooperate in their implementation, including the arrest of individuals subject to warrants for war crimes or crimes against humanity.
The current stance of the Belgian Prime Minister directly contradicts the positions of previous governments—especially his predecessor’s administration, which provided financial support of five million euros to the ICC to enhance its capacity to fulfill its legal duties and prosecute war criminals, regardless of their nationality.
We consider these statements to be a continuation of the growing alliance between far-right parties in Europe and the Zionist entity—an alliance that offers political cover for the occupation’s violations of human rights and crimes punishable under international law. Refusing to cooperate with the International Criminal Court amounts to a mockery of international justice and encourages war criminals to persist in their crimes without fear of accountability.
Handala Association calls on all democratic forces, civil society organizations, and democratic political parties committed to upholding international charters and agreements signed in Belgium and across Europe, to take a clear and firm stand against these policies that support the crimes of the occupation. We also call on the Belgian government to respect its international obligations and comply with the decisions of the International Criminal Court.
Furthermore, we urge all free people to escalate popular movements and legal pressure to hold Israeli war criminals accountable and ensure they do not escape justice. We will not remain silent in the face of attempts to cover up the genocide in Gaza, and we will continue to work for the rights of the Palestinian people until justice is served.
Handala Association
Friday, April 4, 2025
