The planned visit of European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius to defence companies in Herstal was abruptly cancelled on Friday after local authorities admitted they could not guarantee his safety due to a blockade by pro-Palestinian activists.
A group of around fifteen activists blocked the entrance to the Thales facility in Herstal, forcing the Commission to call off not only the visit to Thales but also the planned stop at the nearby Fabrique Nationale (FN) arms manufacturer.
It is the first time a visit by Commissioner Kubilius has had to be cancelled for security reasons.
According to the European Commission, “the Belgian local authorities were not in a position to guarantee the Commissioner’s security.”
Left-wing human rights organisations and pro-Palestinian activists have questioned the effectiveness of Wallonia’s ban on the transit of military equipment to Israel.
Socialist Herstal mayor Frédéric Daerden described the last-minute cancellation as “a wise decision” due to the risk to public order.
“We could have received about eight federal police officers as reinforcements, but that would have been insufficient given the particular profile of the activists,” his office said.
Defence Minister Theo Francken (N-VA) expressed frustration at the situation.
On X he said “I am scandalised and ashamed that this important visit by the European Commissioner for Defense Kubilius Andrius to the top company Thales could not take place. How could this have happened? This must be thoroughly investigated. I just contacted my colleague [ Interior Minister] Bernard Quintin about this.”
“The far-left terror must stop. Basta cosi.”
Andrien Dolimont, the Liberal MP of the region of Wallonia said he was sorry he “could not show and value the jewels of our industry and our know-how”.
Dolimont noted that another visit by a European Commissioner had also been disrupted a few weeks earlier, when around 200 Antifa activists, university staff and left-wing politicians protested at a university visit, forcing Commissioner Raffaele Fitto to leave the premises.
Protesters strongly condemned his visit at the time due to his political affiliation with the Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy), the right-wing leading and governing party of Italy.
“These movements, whether the work of a handful of people or a larger crowd, create a deplorable image of our country. We have industrial champions that are a source of pride for Wallonia. We are being prevented from showcasing them. The geopolitical context should make everyone understand the urgency of strengthening European sovereignty”, Dolimont said.
“Democratic and less democratic parties on the left never condemn these actions, and in some cases silently endorse them.”
