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Two IDF soldiers arrested at Belgian music festival following ‘war crimes’ allegation
The pair were detained by federal police while attending Tomorrowland and are now the subjects of a criminal investigation
July 21, 2025 13:37
The pair were detained by federal police while attending Tomorrowland and are now the subjects of a criminal investigation
July 21, 2025 13:37Two IDF soldiers have reportedly been arrested, and subsequently released, while attending a music festival in Belgium in connection with a “war crimes” complaint launched by a pair of pro-Palestine human rights groups.
The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) and the Global Legal Action Network (Glan) have lodged filings in multiple European countries alleging that Israeli military personnel are liable to arrest under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) due to the IDF’s operations in Gaza.
The same groups were behind the investigation that forced a holidaying soldier to flee Brazil last year, a protest that saw two soldiers on leave evacuated from Amsterdam in February.
Speaking to Channel 12 News, one of the soldiers claimed that they had been beaten by police.
"The officers hit us, we got blows to the face,” he said. “They took us to a secret police station in the compound.”
The pair were released after questioning and are believed to have already left the country.
In a statement, HRF claimed that Belgian police had detained a pair of Israelis and that legal proceedings had commenced.
A spokesperson said: “The suspects were identified and arrested with a clear show of force at the Tomorrowland festival in Boom.
"After being taken into custody, they were formally interrogated and released.
"The Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed that a criminal investigation is now underway.”
A joint statement from both groups added: “This development is a significant step forward.
"It signals that Belgium has recognised 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.
"Justice must not stop here — and we are committed to seeing it through.”
The arrests come just days after King Philippe of Belgium criticised Israel’s conduct of the Gaza War, calling the situation in the Strip “a disgrace to humanity”.
HRF and Glan have previously attempted to force the arrest of Israeli ministers, including Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar during his recent visit to the UK.
However, several countries have rejected their claims, while Israel has consistently denied that its forces are committing war crimes in Gaza.
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