Israel summons Belgian diplomat over arrest of soldiers at Tomorrowland festival
The Israeli authorities have summoned a Belgian diplomat following the arrest of two Israeli soldiers at the music festival Tomorrowland. The Belgian ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the summons to Knack magazine.
On 20 July, federal police detained two members of the Israel Defense Forces at the internationally renowned festival. This followed a formal complaint submitted by the Global Legal Action Network and the Hind Rajab Foundation, an initiative led by the activist Dyab Abou Jahjah. The organisations accuse the soldiers of involvement in alleged war crimes committed in the Gaza Strip.
The incident made headlines in Israeli media. One of the soldiers, reportedly a member of the Givati Brigade — a unit previously linked to controversial operations in Gaza — told Channel 12, a major Israeli broadcaster, that they had been assaulted during their arrest. “We were struck in the face,” the soldier claimed.
Heightened tensions
In response, Israel’s ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned a Belgian diplomat for an official explanation. While Belgium’s Foreign ministry has confirmed that the meeting took place, it has declined to comment on its content.
The arrests come amid heightened diplomatic tensions. Belgium recently joined around 27 other nations in signing a declaration calling for an immediate end to hostilities in Gaza. Ahead of Belgium’s National Day, King Philippe described the situation in Gaza as “a disgrace to humanity” in a televised speech, supported by prime minister Bart De Wever.
On Sunday, Israel also summoned the French diplomatic envoy following French president Emmanuel Macron’s announcement of plans to recognise a Palestinian state. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move, calling it “a reward for terrorism”.
© BELGA PHOTO MARIUS BURGELMAN
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