Activists rally against Belgian firms linked to Gaza conflict

On June 23, 2025, protests erupted in Belgium at two companies, Syensqo in Brussels and OIP Sensor Systems in Tournai. Activists accused these firms of complicity in Israel's military actions in Gaza, specifically claiming they supply crucial components for weapons used in what they termed Israeli war crimes. The protesters started their demonstrations around 7:45 AM, blocking access to both facilities. Despite the presence of police at the sites, no arrests were made during the protests, which were part of a broader European movement protesting military cooperation with Israel. The protesters articulated their belief that companies like OIP and Syensqo must be held accountable for contributing to civilian casualties and violations of international law. In Tournai, the demonstration took a more intense turn as activists entered OIP's storage facility, painting military equipment red to symbolize the bloodshed occurring in Gaza. They emphasized that Elbit Systems, the parent company of Syensqo, plays a significant role in supplying drones to the Israeli army, accounting for over 85% of their operational drones, which are allegedly employed against Palestinian civilians. Activists condemned Elbit as a key player in the conflict, representing the ‘industrial arm of genocide’ in Palestine. The strong police presence, according to the protesters, highlighted the government's priorities and their perceived inaction in addressing the issues raised by the activists. The protests sought to bring attention to the involvement of Belgian defense firms in what many consider ongoing violations of international law and support for war crimes against civilians. Activists expressed their belief in the necessity of their actions due to what they perceive as a lack of response from state institutions regarding these serious allegations.