Introduction
Belgium-Israel relations are characterized by a stark contrast between diplomacy and defense cooperation. Belgium is a customer of Israeli military and security technologies, ranging from anti-tank missiles and unmanned systems to cyber-surveillance tools. Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries maintain subsidiaries in Belgium, enabling direct access to European markets. These activities have continued despite legal bans on arms exports and widespread protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Belgium-Israel Relations
Belgium and Israel have maintained official relations since January 1950. Various cultural, scientific and economic bilateral agreements have been signed over the years between the two countries. Several Belgium-Israel friendship associations organize activities in both countries to promote and strengthen bilateral relations.[1]Embassy of Belgium in Israel, Diplomatic Relations, 31.08.2022 The annual trade between Israel and Belgium amounted to $6.5 billion in 2022, with Israel exporting $2 billion worth of goods and importing $4.5 billion.[2]Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, Foreign trade by country in 2024, 21.01.2025
In September 2025 Belgium announced measures against Israel over its war in Gaza, including sanctions, an expanded arms embargo, and a ban on importing goods and services produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied territories.[3]AA, Belgium to impose sanctions on Israel, expand restrictions, 03.09.2025 Belgium also announced its support for complete suspension of the trade, research and technological cooperation components of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, including Israel’s participation in EU programs such as Horizon Europe.[4]The Brussels Times, Belgium reaches deal on recognising Palestine: What was agreed?, 02.09.2025
Military Relations
Israel exports a wide range of military, security, and cyber technologies to Belgium, including drones, anti-tank missiles, F-35 components, and crowd-control equipment. Israeli defense companies, such as Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries maintain subsidiaries in Belgium. Israeli cyber firms also provide surveillance, facial recognition, and hacking tools to Belgian police forces.
Although Belgium banned in 2009 the export of weapons and military good intended for the Israeli army,[5]The Brussels Times, Belgium reaches deal on recognising Palestine: What was agreed?, 02.09.2025 military equipment have continued been exported to Israel since and during the genocide in Gaza. In 2021, 19.8 million euros of arms exports to Israel in category ML8 were licensed by Belgium. In 2022 Elbit’s Belgian subsidiary OIP had existing permits for export to Israel. In November 2023, 16 tonnes of gunpowder were sent from PB Clermont in Liege to Israel through Antwerp port. In February 2024, the Walloon government issued a temporary suspension of these licenses.[6]Workers in Palestine, Who Arms Israel
Arms shipments containing over 70 tonnes of munitions have passed through Liège, Belgium between October 2023 and March 2024. In May 2024 Belgian authorities banned all forms of arms transit to Israel.[7]Declassified UK, Arms for Israel secretly shipped through UK airspace, 04.09.2024[8]Aviation24.be, Wallonia addresses loophole and bans all arms transit to Israel, 28.05.2025
In July 2025, a Brussels Court ordered the government of the Flemish region in Belgium to block a specific container carrying dual-use items to Israel and also to halt all further transit of military material to Israel.[9]BDS, Belgian court rules against further transit of all military equipment to Israel for its ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, 18.07.2025[10]Euro News, Belgian court rules Flanders government should stop transit of military equipment to Israel, 07.08.2025
Belgium is a partner in the international F-35 fighter jet program and plays an active role in its production with Belgian companies manufacturing components required for the assembly of the aircraft.[11]Workers in Palestine, Who Arms Israel In addition, Belgium has purchased the F-35 for its own air force and with the first jets arriving in October 2025.[12]The Aviationist, Belgium’s First F-35A Lands at Florennes, Marking the Beginning of Local Operations, 13.10.2025 Israel is also involved in the F-35 program, producing several key components used in the jets.[13]Elbit Systems, Elbit Systems Awarded Contract to Supply Additional Complex Composite Structural Assemblies for the F-35 Aircraft, 14.09.2020[14]Israel Defense, Made (not just) in the USA, 07.04.2016[15]IAI, In a Major Milestone IAI Delivers First Sets of F-16 Aerostructures and 200th F-35 Wing to Lockheed Martin, 12.07.2022[16]Globes, F-35 means business for Israeli defense cos, 15.08.2016
Purchases of Israeli Military technologies
Belgium has been a customer for Israeli military technologies since at least 1989 when it purchased radars from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).[17]SIPRI In 1998 it made another deal with the Israeli government-owned company to acquire UAVs, produced by a joint venture based on IAI’s technology.[18]Belgian Wings, IAI – Eagle B-Hunter UAV[19]SIPRI
In 2006 the Belgian army acquired 32 mm unmanned turrets and various opto-electronic and electronic sub-systems to the Belgian Armored Infantry Vehicle Program.[20]Haaretz, Belgian Army Buying Systems From Elbit Systems, 02.02.2006[21]SIPRI[22]INSS, Military Balance Files – Israel, 17.06.2009
In June 2017, the Belgian Defense Ministry’s Directorate General of Material Resources (DGMR) invited Elbit Systems to join bi-national MCM trials for unmanned maritime systems. Elbit’s Seagull USV participated.[23]Israel Defense, Elbit’s Seagull USV Demonstrated to the Belgian Navy, 04.07.2017
In December 2022, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) held a maritime seminar for the Belgian authorities including a live demonstration of Heron UAS platform.[24]IAI, Maritime Operations 2022, 07.12.2022
Belgium has purchased Spike missiles, developed by the Israeli government-owned Rafael, since at least 2013.[25]SIPRI In 2017 those missiles were used by the Belgian Special Forces in Iraq.[26]Israel Defense, Belgian Special Forces Operate Spike Missiles in Iraq, 22.08.2017 In 2023 Belgium acquired a new type of anti-tank missiles, but is expected to continue using the Spike until at least 2030.[27]Israel Defense, Belgian Army acquires Hundreds of Akeron MP Anti-Tank Missiles, 27.08.2023 In July 2024, during the genocide in Gaza, the Belgian Army together with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) hosted the 19th NATO Spike Users’ Club in Belgium. The event included lectures and showcasing.[28]Facebook, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, 16.07.2024
In 2022 Belgium awarded a €19 million contract to Dynamit Nobel Defence (DND), a subsidiary of Rafael, to supply RGW90 anti-tank weapon systems.[29]Israel Defense, Belgian Army Procures Rafael’s Anti-Tank Weapon Systems, 31.01.2022
Additional Israeli security technologies were acquired by the Belgian police. In 2023 the Antwerp police purchased tear gas launchers from the Israeli Ispra.[30]Le Soir, La police belge est scotchée aux technologies israéliennes, 05.09.2025
In April 2026 it was reported that Belgium plans to purchase 15 self-propelled anti-aircraft Gepard systems from OIP, Elbit Systems’ subsidiary. The armored vehicles are planned to be refurbished at Belgian facilities and than sent to Ukraine, as part of a broader 1 billion euro military aid package for Ukraine approved in early April.[31]RBC-Ukraine, Belgium to purchase batch of Gepard air defense systems for Ukraine, 22.04.2026
Cyber
Several Israeli cyber companies hold presence in Belgium and provide services to the authorities, mainly for the police forces. Those include contracts that were renewed after the genocide in Gaza began: In March 2024, The City of Ghent, Belgium decided to boycott Israeli companies profiting from the illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories. On the same day the boycott came into force it was broken with the renewal of Ghent’s police license to use UFED software by Cellebrite. In January 2025 licenses for two other Israeli cyber companies, BriefCam and Radwin, both listed on WhoProfits’ database, were renewed by the city.[32]Apache, Stad Gent breekt boycot met aankoop Israëlische producten voor Gentse politie, 24.07.2025
Israeli cyber companies contracted by Belgian Authorities:
BriefCam – Several Belgian police forces use facial recognition and imagery analysis technology by the Israeli BriefCam since at least 2016. Some of the local police forces using BriefCam are: Ghent, Aalst, Antwerp, Wavre, Kortrijk, Saint-Nicolas/Ans and the Brussels-Capital Region.[33]The Brussels Times, Belgian police may use facial recognition software, but not always, 23.09.2024[34]Kif kif, Antwerpen en Brussel: proeftuinen voor Israëlische AI-surveillance? 07.03.2025[35]BriefCam, BriefCam Empowers the BRIC with Video Intelligence – BriefCam[36]Apache, Bijna de helft van alle Vlaamse politiezones gebruikt Israëlische spyware, 25.07.2025[37]Le Soir, La police belge est scotchée aux technologies israéliennes, 05.09.2025
Cellebrite – Investigation by the independent news website Apache revealed that at least 39 local police zones in Belgium use UFED by Cellebrite, and 4 others indicated they had worked with Cellebrite in the past.[38]Apache, Bijna de helft van alle Vlaamse politiezones gebruikt Israëlische spyware, 25.07.2025
Circles – In an investigation by the Citizen Lab Belgium was determined to be a likely customer of the Israeli cyberespionage firm Circles.[39]The Citizen Lab, Running in Circles – Uncovering the Clients of Cyberespionage Firm Circles, 01.12.2020
Interionet Systems – In November 2022, Interionet won a €299 million contract with the Belgian federal police as part of the I-Police modernization initiative, alongside other Israeli cyber firms. Interionet is led by Yair Pecht, former managing director of NSO Group, the company behind the spyware Pegasus. Interionet specialises in cyber tools for hacking connected objects, such as video surveillance cameras.[40]Intelligence Online, Interionet adds another Israeli stamp to Belgium’s I-Police programme, 02.11.2022[41]Surveillance Watch, Interionet Systems[42]Inter-Environnement Bruxelles, Petit pays, big data: le développement de la police “prédictive” en Belgique, 15.10.2024
Toka – provides surveillance camera hacking technology to I-Police.[43]Intelligence Online, Interionet adds another Israeli stamp to Belgium’s I-Police programme, 02.11.2022
TA9, a subsidiary of Rayzone – provides big data analytics platform IntSight for I-Police.[44]Intelligence Online, Interionet adds another Israeli stamp to Belgium’s I-Police programme, 02.11.2022
Radwin and Siklu – are providing services to Antwerp police.[45]Apache, Bijna de helft van alle Vlaamse politiezones gebruikt Israëlische spyware, 25.07.2025
Paragon – Known to work in Belgium.[46]Haaretz, Israeli Spyware Firm Paragon Cuts Italy’s Access After Journalists Targeted, 06.02.2025
Subsidiaries of Israeli Defense Companies in Belgium
The two largest arms companies in Israel, Elbit and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), own subsidiaries in Belgium.
IAI’s subsidiary – Belgian Advanced Technology Systems (BATS)
Although it is not mentioned in the company’s website or press releases, BATS is fully owned by IAI’s subsidiary ELTA[47]Belgian National Baseline Assessment (NBA), on Business and Human Rights, March 2021 and markets IAI’s products in foreign markets. For example, in the press release announcing a deal with Bahrain signed in 2021 there is no mention of Israel or the military cooperation agreements between the states.[48]BATS, Bahrain Defense Forces select BATS for supply Integrated Coastal Surveillance System, 28.07.2024[49]The Cradle, Bahrain signs defense agreement with Israeli company, 10.02.2022 In 2020 the subsidiary won a project to provide security for UN bases in Mali.[50]Israel Defense, Report: IAI wins project to provide security for UN bases in Mali, 25.11.2020
Below: On the left – picture from BATS website displaying its TMMR-84 Radar. On the right, a picture from IAI website displaying ELM-2084 Radar.
Elbit’s subsidiary – OIP (Optronic Instruments and Products)
OIP was acquired by Elbit in July 2003.[51]Israel Defense, Belgian Subsidiary of Israel’s Elbit Systems Supplies Ukraine with 250 Armored Vehicles, 08.07.2025
In June 2024, OIP participated in the arms exhibition Eurosatory, when Israeli arms companies were banned from attending.[52]Electronic Intifada, Did an Israeli firm sidestep the Paris weapons fair ban?, 19.06.2024
Protests and rulings against arms trade with Israel
In August 2022, OIP, subsidiary of Elbit, was a target of vandalism. Two military vehicles, belonging to the Belgian military, that were parked in the company’s factory parking lot were reportedly destroyed when Molotov cocktails were thrown at them. The damage was done to property only. The slogan “shut Elbit down” was found at the scene.[53]The Electronic Intifada, Belgium drops terror charge in case involving Israeli weapons firm, 04.09.2024
December 2023: OIP’s plant in Oudenaarde was spray painted by activists protesting the genocide in Gaza.[54]The Electronic Intifada, Belgium drops terror charge in case involving Israeli weapons firm, 04.09.2024[55]Instagram, hotm_headquartersofthemovement, 04.12.2023[56]VRT, Defensiebedrijf uit Oudenaarde dient klacht in tegen klimaatactiviste Anuna de Wever: “We mogen al 20 jaar niet uitvoeren naar Israël”, 05.12.2023
December 2023: The Belgian NGO Forum Voor Vredesactie (Vredesactie) filed a criminal complaint against a publicly-held Israeli international cargo shipping company, ZIM and its Belgian representative, ZIM Belgium. Vredesactie claimed Zim was responsible for a transit of defence-related materials, without a permit, as required by the Arms Trade Decree Article 8 §2/1. The complaint also states that Belgian authorities are obliged not to issue a licence for the transit of arms that may be used in the commission of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, and there is a high risk the transited goods were intended for the Israeli Military.[57]Arms Trade Litigation Monitor, Belgium and Arms Transit
May 2024: Wallonia, one of Belgium’s three regions and where Liege Airport is located, decided to ban all forms of arms transit to Israel, after an investigation revealed the Airport was used to pass more than 70 tons of ammunition and explosives to Israel since the beginning of the Genocide in Gaza.[58]Aviation24.be, Wallonia addresses loophole and bans all arms transit to Israel, 28.05.2025
July 2025: Human rights activists blocked an arms shipment from Antwerp to Israel. The shipment included parts of tanks and vehicles intended for the Israeli authorities.[59]Facebook, Peoples Dispatch, 15.07.2025
September 2025: Belgium has passed a series of resolutions limiting military cooperation with Israel. These resolutions include: prohibition of weapons’ transit through the country, expanding of a ban on exporting weapons and military goods to Israel, and refusal to allow Israeli military flights to overfly Belgian airspace. Also, the Ministry of Defense is instructed not to buy any equipment, including spare parts and maintenance contracts from Israeli companies. It was not mentioned whether this decision applies to other forces such as the police.[60]The Brussels Times, Belgium reaches deal on recognising Palestine: What was agreed?, 02.09.2025