FN Herstal, Belgium’s largest weapons manufacturer, experienced a temporary halt in production last week as workers staged a spontaneous strike in response to a visit by a high-ranking Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) officer. The disruption underscores growing international scrutiny of arms sales and manufacturing amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The visit, organized by the Belgian Defense Ministry, was intended as a routine tour for military attachés stationed in Brussels. Included among them was Colonel Moshe Tetro, the Israeli defense attaché, whose presence sparked immediate protest from some factory employees. Production lines were stopped, and the factory gates remained closed until Friday night, according to reports from Belgian media.
The General Labour Federation of Belgium (FTGB), a socialist union, quickly voiced its strong opposition to the visit. In a statement reported by Israel’s Channel 12 News, the FTGB deemed Tetro’s presence “unacceptable,” arguing that the factory should not be used to facilitate diplomatic or security objectives involving a nation accused of violating international law. “It is unacceptable that the factory premises are being used as a meeting place for the Defense Ministry to promote diplomatic-security goals, when among those present is the representative of a country that blatantly violates international law,” the union stated.
FN Herstal management responded swiftly, stating that they had not directly invited an IDF delegation, but rather hosted a group of military attachés at the request of the Belgian defense ministry. The company also emphasized that it has not sold weapons or military equipment to Israel for several decades.
Concerns Over Alleged War Crimes
The strike also drew attention from groups advocating for accountability for alleged war crimes. Dyab Abou Jahjah, chairman of the Belgium-based Hind Rajab Foundation, publicly supported the workers’ action and labeled Colonel Tetro a “war criminal.” Abou Jahjah articulated the sentiment that the strike sent a clear message against complicity with arms manufacturers while Gaza faces ongoing devastation.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Abou Jahjah connected Tetro to accusations of involvement in attacks on hospitals and the implementation of a policy of restricting essential resources in Gaza. “If it is confirmed that the officer present was the Israeli military attaché in Belgium, then we are speaking about Moshe Tetro — implicated in attacks on hospitals and in managing the policy of hunger imposed on Gaza,” he wrote.
A clear message was sent: no complicity from a weapons plant while Gaza is being devastated. If it is confirmed that the officer present was the Israeli military attaché in Belgium, then we are speaking about Moshe Tetro — implicated in attacks on hospitals and in managing the policy of hunger imposed on Gaza.
The Hind Rajab Foundation has been actively pursuing legal action against Tetro, filing a war crimes complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in December 2024. The complaint alleges that, in his previous role as head of COGAT’s Coordination and Liaison Administration to Gaza, Tetro was responsible for policies leading to starvation within the Gaza Strip. The foundation claims he oversaw a strategy of using famine and thirst as a method of warfare.
Israel has consistently refuted these accusations, maintaining that it allows hundreds of thousands of tons of aid, including food, to enter Gaza.
Broader Context of Arms Industry Scrutiny
This incident at FN Herstal is occurring against a backdrop of increased global scrutiny of the arms industry, particularly concerning sales to countries involved in active conflicts. The debate centers on the ethical responsibilities of arms manufacturers and the potential for their products to be used in human rights violations. Belgium, like many European nations, faces ongoing pressure to balance its defense industry interests with its commitments to international humanitarian law.
The strike at FN Herstal highlights the growing willingness of workers to take direct action in response to perceived ethical concerns related to their employers’ activities. It also underscores the complex interplay between national defense policies, international law, and the responsibilities of private companies in the global arms trade.
The Belgian government has not yet issued a formal response to the strike or the concerns raised by the FTGB and the Hind Rajab Foundation. Further developments are expected as the situation unfolds, and the focus remains on the potential for further legal challenges against Colonel Tetro and the broader implications for arms manufacturing in Belgium.
Readers seeking information about the ongoing conflict in Gaza and humanitarian aid efforts can find resources through organizations like the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
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