Belgian police question two Israelis over war crimes allegations after attending Tomorrowland

Belgian authorities arrested and questioned two Israeli attendees of last weekend’s Tomorrowland festival over allegations of war crimes. 

The Guardian reports that Belgian pro-Palestinian group Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) identified two male Tomorrowland festival goers as Israeli soldiers “responsible for grave international crimes”  and “serious violations of international humanitarian law” in Gaza and sent a complaint to the federal prosecutor’s office. HRF said the two men were seen waving the flag of an Israeli military unit, Givati Brigade, at the festival.

The prosecutor’s office said Belgian courts have “extraterritorial jurisdiction over alleged war crimes” and therefore made arrests. According to the Guardian, the two men were “briefly held and questioned” but later released. “No further information will be given at this stage of the investigation,” officials said. 

In a statement shared on Instagram, HRF said: “It signals that Belgium has recognized its jurisdiction under international law and is treating the allegations with the seriousness they deserve. At a time when far too many governments remain silent, this action sends a clear message: credible evidence of international crimes must be met with legal response – not political indifference.”

This year’s Tomorrowland festival has been linked to a number of serious incidents. First, on Wednesday 16th, the main stage caught fire, requiring extensive emergency response, less than two days before the festival’s start. On Tomorrowland’s opening day, a 35-year-old Canadian woman fell ill at the event and was moved to a local hospital where she later died. The prosecutor’s office investigation is ongoing, although early signs point to “strong evidence of a drug-related death“.

Find a complete recap of Tomorrowland’s first weekend via the DJ Mag liveblog.