Ghent steps back from Israeli tech, but police phone software remains an issue

The city of Ghent has stopped or is phasing out several partnerships with Israeli technology firms, but one key contract is still unresolved. This emerged during a city council committee meeting on Thursday.

Ghent uses Israeli-made technology for police work and camera networks. This includes mobile phone data extraction (Cellebrite), video analysis of CCTV images (BriefCam), and wireless links for city cameras (Radwin). The deals are politically sensitive, as the city wants to avoid public money going to companies critics link to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.

A clear break has already been made with Radwin. The city has ended its maintenance contract and is no longer buying new equipment. An alternative supplier, Cambium, is being used instead, and remaining devices will be replaced over time. City officials said no public money now goes to Radwin.

The contract with BriefCam is also close to ending. Ghent police have tested alternatives and are positive about the results. The current agreement is due to expire in the spring.

Cellebrite remains the biggest challenge. The software is widely used across police zones and the justice system. City officials say it would be risky for Ghent to switch alone and are calling for a coordinated national approach.

Several councillors welcomed the progress but urged the city not to wait for federal action. They said the steps taken so far show that earlier promises to review these contracts are being put into practice.

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