Amnesty files complaint against FedEx Belgium over arms transit to Israel
Rights group joins legal case in Belgium alleging unauthorized movement of F-35-related military cargo bound for Israel through European transit routes
LONDON (MNTV) — Amnesty International has joined a criminal complaint in Belgium against FedEx Belgium, accusing the logistics company of facilitating the unauthorized transit of military-linked cargo ultimately destined for Israel, in what rights groups describe as part of a wider and highly contested flow of arms into an active war zone.
The case, filed with prosecutors in Liège and initially brought by a coalition of European civil society organizations including Vredesactie and the League of Human Rights, alleges that FedEx Belgium failed to obtain the required permits for transporting restricted military equipment through Belgian territory.
According to Amnesty International, the disputed shipment contained components linked to F-35 fighter jets and originated from Hill Air Force Base in Utah before being routed toward Nevatim Air Base in Israel.
The cargo reportedly passed through Liège Airport and was later transported via Germany before reaching its final destination.
Under Walloon regional regulations, transit of military material requires prior authorization. The complainants argue that bypassing these requirements—whether through negligence or intentional routing—could constitute a criminal violation of Belgian law and expose serious gaps in oversight of arms flows into conflict zones.
Amnesty International warned that Europe’s logistics infrastructure risks becoming an indirect channel for weapon systems feeding military operations in Gaza, where civilian casualties and humanitarian conditions have triggered widespread international concern.
The organization said the case underscores persistent failures in regulating military-related cargo linked to Israel’s armed forces.
Carine Thibaut, head of Amnesty’s French-speaking Belgium branch, said the complaint reflects concerns over systemic enforcement gaps, arguing that existing controls are not being applied strictly enough to prevent military-linked shipments from moving through Belgian territory unchecked.
The complaint also references Belgian and Walloon decisions in 2024 to restrict or suspend export permissions following international legal findings that raised concerns over the risk of serious violations in Gaza.
Activists argue that despite these measures, indirect transit routes may still enable military equipment to reach Israel.
FedEx Belgium has rejected allegations of wrongdoing, stating that it does not transport weapons or ammunition and maintains compliance systems designed to prevent restricted cargo from entering its network. The company said it uses screening procedures to identify and block prohibited shipments.
Rights groups, however, argue that global logistics chains are complex and opaque, making it difficult to distinguish civilian from military-linked components once cargo is in transit, and are calling for stricter oversight and greater transparency from logistics operators.
The case adds to growing legal and political scrutiny in Europe over arms-related logistics tied to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, where activists say indirect supply chains continue to sustain a prolonged and widely criticized campaign.
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