Belgian police recently interrogated two Israeli men who were attending the Tomorrowland music festival, following claims from pro-Palestinian organizations that the pair waved the flag of the Givati Brigade, a unit of the Israeli army. The allegations, which led to a brief detention of the men, stemmed from assertions by the Hind Rajab Foundation and the Global Legal Action Network that their actions constituted war crimes in Gaza.
The Givati Brigade flag was reportedly one of several Israeli flags visible during a set by the DJ duo Vini Vici at the festival last Friday, which proceeded despite a fire that had previously destroyed the main stage. After being questioned, the two men were released, and prosecutors stated that further details regarding the case would not be disclosed at this time.
The Hind Rajab Foundation characterized the questioning as a "significant step forward" toward accountability for actions associated with the ongoing conflict, indicating that they had lodged a formal complaint against the individuals. There is no indication that the men were barred from leaving Belgium following their release.
In response to the incident, the European Jewish Association expressed serious concern regarding the Belgian authorities' handling of the situation, arguing that the two were merely performing their legitimate duties as soldiers in a democratic nation.
The Hind Rajab Foundation is led by Dyab Abou Jahjah, a polarizing figure who has previously acknowledged his involvement with Hezbollah, classified as a terrorist organization within the EU. The investigation aligns with Belgium's updated universal jurisdiction law, allowing its legal system to pursue accountability for alleged crimes committed beyond its borders.
This year's Tomorrowland festival attracted tens of thousands to Boom, near Antwerp, featuring performances by notable artists such as David Guetta and Lost Frequencies, despite the recent mishap with the main stage.
