Israel-Hamas War: “Open letter to Elio Di Rupo: respect for international law begins in Wallonia”

On 2 February 2024, four human rights NGOs, Amnesty International Belgium, the Human Rights League, the National Coordination of Action for Peace and Democracy and Vredesactie, published an open letter, calling on Walloon Minister-President Elio Di Rupo to stop arms exports to Israel, amid the conflict in Gaza. The letter cited the International Court of Justice decision from 26 January 2024, which recognised the existence of a real and imminent risk of genocide in Gaza. The letter argued that “as a state party to the [Genocide Convention], Belgium must respect a duty to prevent genocide” and threatened legal action if the government did not stop its exports of arms to Israel.

The government later announced its suspension of two arms export licences to Israel.