Israeli minister cancels EU visit over fears of arrest in Belgium

Shafaq News/ An Israeli minister was forced to cancel a planned visit to
the European Parliament in Brussels on Monday over fears of a potential arrest
warrant being issued against him in Belgium.

Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office said, “Based on concrete warnings
and following security officials’ directives, Minister of Diaspora Affairs
Amichai Chikli was compelled to cancel his scheduled visit to the European
Parliament in Brussels.”

However, Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that its investigation
with the internal security agency Shin Bet found no credible security threats
targeting Chikli.

According to Kan, Belgium’s warning that Chikli “would not enjoy
diplomatic immunity during his stay in Brussels, as his visit was not
considered an official one” was the real reason for the cancellation.

Without such immunity, Chikli faced potential legal risks, Kan noted, as
“Belgium had not officially approved his visit.”

Expressing disappointment, Chikli said, “I was saddened to receive
directives from security officials to cancel my participation in the Holocaust
Remembrance Day events at the European Parliament.”

The Hind Rajab Foundation, an organization that monitors overseas trips
by Israeli officials and advocates for their arrest over Gaza-related actions,
praised Belgium’s stance.

In a statement on their official website on Monday, the foundation
wrote, “By refusing to grant immunity, Belgium has upheld international
law, making it clear that arrest remains a possibility. This development is a
victory for accountability and a warning to those who believe they can act with
impunity.”

This development comes amid growing international scrutiny of Israeli
leaders. In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants
for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant
over alleged “crimes against humanity and war crimes” committed in
Gaza.