logo
Belgium questions two Israelis over Gaza crime allegations after they travelled for music festival

Belgium questions two Israelis over Gaza crime allegations after they travelled for music festival

In a statement to The Associated Press, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said an Israeli citizen and an Israeli soldier who were on vacation in Belgium 'were taken in yesterday for interrogation and were released shortly afterward'. It said Israeli authorities 'dealt with this issue and are in touch with the two'.
It was not immediately clear why the Israeli Foreign Ministry referred to one civilian and one soldier, while Belgian prosecutors spoke of two Israeli army members. The whereabouts of the two people who were questioned was not immediately clear.
The case was hailed as a 'turning point in the global pursuit of accountability' by a Belgium-based group called the Hind Rajab Foundation, which has campaigned for the arrest of Israeli troops it accuses of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The group was named for a young girl who Palestinians say was killed early in the war by Israeli fire as she and her family fled Gaza City.
Israel says its forces follow international law and try to avoid harming civilians, and that it investigates allegations of wrongdoing.
In a written statement, the prosecutor's office said that the two army members – who were in Belgium for the Tomorrowland festival – were questioned after the office received legal complaints on Friday and Saturday from the Hind Rajab Foundation and another group.
The prosecution office requested the questioning after an initial assessment of the complaints 'determined that it potentially had jurisdiction'.
The Hind Rajab foundation said it filed its complaints along with the rights group Global Legal Action Network.
The decision to question the two Israelis was based on an article in Belgium's Code of Criminal Procedure that went into force last year and grants Belgian courts jurisdiction over acts overseas that are potentially governed by an international treaty, in this case the 1949 Geneva Conventions and the 1984 United Nations convention against torture, the prosecution statement said.
'In light of this potential jurisdiction, the Federal Prosecutor's Office requested the police to locate and interrogate the two individuals named in the complaint. Following these interrogations, they were released,' the statement said, without elaborating.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

How Israeli disinformation is attempting - and failing - to mask the starvation in Gaza
How Israeli disinformation is attempting - and failing - to mask the starvation in Gaza

The Journal

time2 hours ago

  • The Journal

How Israeli disinformation is attempting - and failing - to mask the starvation in Gaza

THE IMAGES OF starving children coming out of Gaza recently have been met with alarm by some of Israel's closest allies, and dealt a blow to the propaganda narrative about its siege of the devastated Palestinian territory. The reality of life in Gaza has even led US President Donald Trump to acknowledge that starvation is occurring, as his close ally Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has continued to deny it is the case. 'There is no policy of starvation in Gaza, and there is no starvation in Gaza. We enable humanitarian aid throughout the duration of the war to enter Gaza – otherwise, there would be no Gazans,' Netanyahu said yesterday. But when Trump was asked yesterday if he agreed with Netanyahu's statement, he said: 'I don't know. Based on television, I would say not particularly, because those children look very hungry.' He also said that he had told Israel to allow 'every ounce' of food into Gaza. 'We can save a lot of people, I mean some of those kids. That's real starvation; I see it and you can't fake that. So we're going to be even more involved.' Today, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative (IPC), a UN-backed monitor, said: 'The worst-case scenario of famine is now unfolding in the Gaza Strip.' The UN's World Food Programme has warned that the disaster unfolding in Gaza is reminiscent of famines seen in Ethiopia and Biafra in the 20th century , which resulted in millions of deaths. Trump's assertion that you can't 'fake' images of starving children is telling, especially considering the Israeli government's repeated accusations that Palestinians are lying about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Israeli officials have throughout the assault on Gaza – and long before it began in October 2023 – labelled videos and images of Palestinian suffering as examples of 'Pallywood' (Palestinian Hollywood). 'Blood libel' The official account of the Israeli government on X shared a post yesterday that falls into that category of propaganda. The post featured two images side by side: one of an emaciated young boy on the cover of the Italian newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano, and the other of the same boy looking healthy and alert. The boy is five-year-old Osama al-Raqab and the first photo was taken in Gaza in May. The second photo was taken in Italy last month, where he was transferred for treatment for cystic fibrosis. This is what a modern blood libel looks like: A sick child. A hijacked photo. A lie that spreads faster than truth. His name is Osama al-Raqab. He has cystic fibrosis, a serious genetic illness. He's been in Italy receiving treatment since June 12. Israel enabled his medical… — Israel ישראל (@Israel) July 28, 2025 The Israel account on X said the fact that he was suffering from a genetic disorder disproved claims that he was suffering from malnutrition. 'This is what a modern blood libel looks like: A sick child. A hijacked photo. A lie that spreads faster than truth,' the post said, referring to the medieval, antisemitic myth that Jews drink human blood. The post notes the boy's name and that he has a serious genetic condition. 'He's been in Italy receiving treatment since 12 June. Israel enabled his medical transfer from Gaza,' the post continued. 'But that didn't stop media outlets from weaponizing his image NOT to tell his story, but in order to smear Israel. Because when it comes to Israel, facts are optional. Hate always finds a headline.' The claim from Israel's government that the original photo had been 'hijacked' and presented as evidence of lies about starvation in Gaza is easily debunked. Osama was among a number of starving children whose stories were told in an article published by the Associated Press back in May, before he was taken to Italy. The article said Omar's cystic fibrosis had worsened since the start of the war. A lack of meat, fish and enzyme tablets to help him digest food meant he was in and out of hospital and suffered long bouts of chest infections and acute diarrhoea, his mother Mona told the AP. 'His bones poke through his skin. Osama, 5, weighs 20 pounds (9 kilos) and can hardly move or speak. Canned food offers him no nutrition,' the article said. 'With starvation in Gaza, we only eat canned lentils,' his mother said. 'If the borders remain closed, we will lose that too.' The disinformation the Israeli government has spread about this five-year-old boy has been repeated across many of the state's official social media accounts, as Il Fatto Quotidiano noted in an article about the use of its front page. 'The front page of Il Fatto on 24 July has become a trend on social media,' journalist Riccardo Antoniucci wrote in today's online edition of the paper. Advertisement 'The credit goes to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, which reshared it yesterday, certainly not to praise it, followed by a long list of Israeli embassy accounts around the world (including bots): France, Spain, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, even Armenia.' As Antoniucci noted in his article, the photo of Osama from May shows him suffering from malnutrition and the second photo shows the difference that proper treatment and sustenance makes when it is actually available. 'Pallywood' conspiracy theory This attempt to portray Palestinians as liars is only the latest example of the Israeli government issuing easily refuted claims about its war on the Gaza Strip. Israeli officials have routinely presented falsehoods as facts, fabricated or mischaracterised evidence and promoted conspiracy theories. The most obvious and swiftly debunked effort to promote the 'Pallywood' myth came just days into Israel's assault on Gaza, when Netanyahu's spokesperson to the Arab world, Ofir Gendelman, posted a video on X that showed make-up artists, actors and a film crew shooting a scene depicting the aftermath of an Israeli strike. The video does show children with make-up applied to make them appear wounded and what appear to be paramedics rushing to help them. Gendelman claimed the video showed Palestinians 'fooling the international media and public opinion'. 'See for yourselves how they fake injuries and evacuating 'injured' civilians, all in front of the cameras. Pallywood gets busted again,' he wrote in the now deleted post. The video is actually behind-the-scenes footage from a short film called The Reality , which is indeed a portrayal of Palestinian suffering, but it was not made in Palestine. Its director, music video maker Mahmoud Ramzi , posted a series of articles in various languages on his Instagram account that debunked the misrepresentation of the footage. Ramzi told the news outlet Reuters that The Reality was 'a short movie that was filmed in Lebanon to show a glimpse of the pain that Gaza's people endured. It was not filmed to mislead people or to fabricate any truth'. In another example, one which bears similarities to the case of Omar al-Raqab, Israel's official X account posted two pictures side-by-side and claimed that both showed the same person apparently pretending to be two different seriously injured men. The pictures were of two different people . There have been many other examples of the 'Pallywood' propaganda trope being spread online, with accusations that Palestinians are 'crisis actors', which is a term used by conspiracists like Alex Jones in the aftermath of school shootings in the United States. More recently, the Israeli military claimed that Hamas has been running 'a deliberate propaganda campaign' about the amount of humanitarian aid Israel is letting into Gaza. 'We operate every day to bring in aid, Hamas operates every day to create a perception of crisis. The international community needs to know the truth!' -COL Abdullah Halabi, Head of the CLA Gaza, on the Gazan side of the Kerem Shalom crossing. — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 25, 2025 In a video posted online by the military last week, colonel Abdullah Halabi said that 'Hamas operates every day to create a perception of crisis'. Standing in front of crates of aid, he blamed the delay in delivering it to Palestinians on the UN, which he said the Israeli military works with closely. 'Israel does not limit the number of trucks entering the Gaza Strip,' he said. This is false, Israel imposed a total blockade on humanitarian aid after it violated a ceasefire with Hamas on 18 March this year. That blockade lasted until late May. Since then, Israel has largely sidelined UN agencies and NGOs in the aid distribution system in Gaza, and replaced them with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US-Israeli-backed project with opaque origins and funding. Almost 1,000 people seeking aid at GHF and UN distribution sites have been killed by Israeli and mercenary fire since May , according to the UN. Even before the total blockade, UN and NGO aid agencies had repeatedly urged Israel to allow more trucks to enter Gaza. Today, the NGO Save the Children said that the number of children under five with acute malnutrition seen at its Gaza clinics has surged tenfold in the last four months. According to the UN-backed IPC, one in three people is now going without food for days at a time in Gaza. Hospitals are overwhelmed and have treated more than 20,000 children for acute malnutrition since April and at least 16 children under five have died from hunger-related causes since mid-July. Israel has been accused by human rights organisations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch of using starvation as a weapon of war. It has also been accused of genocide in a case taken against it by South Africa at the International Court of Justice, and in a statement from UN experts published in May . The ICJ case is ongoing and will likely not conclude until at least 2027. And last year, the international Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant . The warrants are still outstanding and the charges have not yet been ruled on. Among the crimes the two men are accused of is the war crime of using 'starvation as a method of warfare'. Want to be your own fact-checker? Visit our brand-new FactCheck Knowledge Bank for guides and toolkits The Journal's FactCheck is a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network's Code of Principles. You can read it here . For information on how FactCheck works, what the verdicts mean, and how you can take part, check out our Reader's Guide here . You can read about the team of editors and reporters who work on the factchecks here . Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... It is vital that we surface facts from noise. Articles like this one brings you clarity, transparency and balance so you can make well-informed decisions. We set up FactCheck in 2016 to proactively expose false or misleading information, but to continue to deliver on this mission we need your support. Over 5,000 readers like you support us. If you can, please consider setting up a monthly payment or making a once-off donation to keep news free to everyone. Learn More Support The Journal

In demand Kneecap to play two sold-out rooftop shows in New York following Hungary ban
In demand Kneecap to play two sold-out rooftop shows in New York following Hungary ban

Sunday World

time9 hours ago

  • Sunday World

In demand Kneecap to play two sold-out rooftop shows in New York following Hungary ban

The controversial Belfast-based rap trio will join the list of major stars who have appeared at the city's prestigious The Rooftop at Pier 17 venue in October Kneecap are set to play two sold-out rooftop shows in New York later this year in the wake of their ban on performing in Hungary. The controversial Belfast-based rap trio will join the list of major stars who have appeared at the city's prestigious The Rooftop at Pier 17 venue on October 1 and 10. Described as New York City's most scenic concert venue, with views of the Brooklyn Bridge, and Empire State Building, The Rooftop has played host to Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, Tate McRae, and the Fugees, whose first reunited performance in over 15 years took place there in 2021. They have also announced another European show in September at the Gasometer in Vienna. The group, who are outspoken supporters of Palestine, were due to perform at Sziget Festival on August 11. . News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday, July 29 Kneecap said 'there is no legal basis' for Hungary banning the act from entering the country ahead of their scheduled appearance at the music festival. However, Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs wrote on social media platform X that the decision to ban Kneecap was because the group's 'members repeatedly engage in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups'. In a statement posted on Instagram, Kneecap described the decision to bar them from entry as 'political distraction' and pointed out that none of the group has any criminal convictions. A spokeswoman for Sziget Festival also described the move as 'unnecessary and regrettable'. 'Cancel culture and cultural boycotts are not the solution,' she added. The statement from Kneecap said: 'To the tens of thousands of fans who we were buzzing to see in person at Sziget, we're sorry we won't be with you. 'The authoritarian government of Viktor Orban say we 'pose a national security threat'. 'Which is f****** outrageous coming from a man who welcomed Netanyahu, a wanted war criminal, like a hero just a few weeks ago. 'There is no legal basis for his actions, no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country. We stand against all hate crimes and Kneecap champions love and solidarity as well as calling out injustices whenever we see it. 'It's clear that this is political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people.' Kneecap have had several shows cancelled in recent months, including TRNSMT festival in Glasgow and at the Eden Project in Cornwall. They claim this is part of a smear campaign against them because of their vocal support for Palestine and criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, which they say is a genocide. The statement posted earlier on Thursday by Mr Kovacs said: 'Hungary has zero tolerance for antisemitism in any form. 'Their planned performance posed a national security threat, and for this reason, the group has been formally banned from Hungary for three years. 'If they enter, expulsion will follow under international norms.' The spokeswoman for Sziget Festival said: 'Following concerns raised by government and pressure groups across Hungary over the past weeks at the prospect of Kneecap performing, we have liaised closely with the band and they reassured us that their performance would not contravene either Sziget's values or Hungarian law. 'Over the past 30 years, Sziget has served as a free and safe place for different cultures, hosting artists and visitors from around the world, earning significant recognition in the international community and enhancing Hungary's reputation. 'We fear that the government's decision announced today to ban Kneecap may not only damage the reputation of Sziget, but also negatively affect Hungary's standing worldwide.' Kneecap – comprised of Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and JJ O Dochartaigh – were formed in Belfast and released their first single in 2017. They hit the headlines recently after O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence relating to allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah. In May, the Metropolitan Police said the group were being investigated by counter-terrorism police after videos emerged allegedly showing them shouting 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah' and 'Kill your local MP'. The group apologised to the families of murdered MPs and said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. They were also investigated over their set at Glastonbury Festival in June, but last week Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they would be taking no further action.

Government accused in High Court of breaching international law over Israeli weapon 'flyovers'
Government accused in High Court of breaching international law over Israeli weapon 'flyovers'

The Journal

time11 hours ago

  • The Journal

Government accused in High Court of breaching international law over Israeli weapon 'flyovers'

A HIGH COURT case has accused the Government of breaching international law and being complicit in genocide due to the contentious issue of so-called Israeli flyovers, which see weaponry being flown over Irish airspace and later delivered to Israel. Online publication The Ditch – which is taking the case alongside campaign group Uplift and Irish surgeon Dr Ahmed El Mokhallalati – has reported that numerous flights carrying munitions have flown through Irish airspace and landed in Israel. Human rights lawyers Phoenix Law lodged documents on behalf of the group today, arguing that the Irish government is allegedly 'complicit in Israel's genocide' in Gaza over the reported continued use of Irish airspace to transport Israeli weaponry. The group has claimed that the transport minister Darragh O'Brien has failed to investigate allegations that the airspace above Ireland is being used to deliver weapons and parts of weapons to the Israeli Defence Forces. Advertisement They further allege that Ireland is in breach of its constitution to allow flights to carry munitions through the airspace and that, despite the acknowledgement from government that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, the flights have not been probed. The issue had been raised with Tánaiste Simon Harris previously , when People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy walked across the Dáil chamber with documents that he claimed proved tonnes of weapons are being flown through Irish airspace. Government has previously argued that there is no existing legislation to allow random inspections of aircraft. Aeroplane operators must first seek permission, or a licence, from government should they seek to transport munitions through Irish airspace. O'Brien and his predecessor Eamon Ryan have said the airlines in question do not seek permission to use Ireland's airspace. The minister has not provided a timeframe for the introduction of laws to prevent this taking place without permission. He told The Journal last month that government was taking claims that 'munitions of war' are being flown to Israel from Ireland 'very seriously'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store