In a dramatic escalation of protest, nearly 100 pro-Palestinian activists stormed the premises of OIP Sensor Systems in Tournai, Belgium, on June 23, vandalizing military equipment intended for Ukraine. The targeted facility, a subsidiary of Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems, suffered damages estimated at €1 million, delaying critical deliveries to the Ukrainian military by at least a month.
🔧 Sabotage at OIP: What Happened?
- Protesters, many of them masked and equipped with hammers and angle grinders, broke into the OIP compound
- They smashed desks, computers, and damaged several armored vehicles awaiting shipment to Ukraine
- The group accused OIP and another firm, Syensqo in Haren, of aiding Israel’s military operations in Gaza
“They used the Palestinian cause as a cover for vandalism,” said Freddy Versluys, CEO of OIP, denying any recent defense ties with Israel
🧭 Political Motive or Criminal Vandalism?
- Activists claim OIP and Syensqo are complicit in Israeli war crimes, citing their alleged role in supplying components for drones and targeting systems
- OIP insists it has not manufactured defense tools for Israel in over 20 years and is focused solely on upgrading and maintaining military gear for Ukraine
- The protest is part of a broader wave of anti-Israel demonstrations across Europe, including a similar incident at a UK Royal Air Force base on June 20
📌 Why It Matters
- The attack has delayed Ukraine’s access to vital armored vehicles, potentially impacting battlefield logistics
- Raises concerns over security at defense facilities and the intersection of activism and sabotage
- Highlights growing tensions in Europe over military-industrial ties to Middle East conflicts
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