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Belgian Workers Reject Arizona’s Austerity In Strike Wave

November 27, 2025 Ana Vracar, People's Dispatch. , , , ,
Wednesday, November 26, marks the final day of a nationwide wave of strikes and protests against the anti-social policies of Belgium’s so-called Arizona government. Workers in transport and public services, joined by thousands across other sectors, remain outraged by Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s agenda, which includes attacks on pensions, wages, and public services, all while increasing spending on militarization. Picket lines sprang up across the country, with workers rejecting the government’s plans. Reporting from the strike at the port of Antwerp, Workers’ Party of Belgium (PTB-PVDA) General Secretary Peter Mertens wrote: “Workers are furious that the government is coming for their pensions, trying to steal their wage indexation and, on top of that, wants to raise taxes on gas and fuel. ‘No way,’ they’re saying here.”

Belgium To Recognize Palestine, Impose Sanctions On Israel

September 2, 2025 News Desk, The Cradle. , , , , ,
Belgium will join France in recognizing a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly session in New York this month, the country’s foreign minister announced on 2 September. “Palestine will be recognized by Belgium during the UN session! And firm sanctions are being imposed on the Israeli government. Any antisemitism or glorification of terrorism by Hamas supporters will also be more strongly condemned,” said Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot in a post on X. “In view of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, and in light of the violence perpetrated by Israel in violation of international law – given its international obligations, including the duty to prevent any risk of genocide – Belgium had to take bold decisions to increase pressure on the Israeli government and the Hamas terrorists,” he added.

ManiFiesta 2025 To Emphasize Resistance And Internationalism

August 6, 2025 Ana Vracar, People's Dispatch. , , ,
Left organizations in Belgium are using the typically slower European summer to gear up for ManiFiesta, the annual festival of solidarity that many recognize as the launchpad for a new cycle of political activities in the region. This year’s edition, set to take place on September 13 and 14 in the coastal city of Ostend, aims to reflect the country’s current political climate while capturing a broader spirit of resistance. “Right now in Belgium, we’re seeing two major movements of resistance: one against the new government’s policies, and the other in solidarity with Palestine,” says Matilde De Cooman from Viva Salud. “These two are also connected because the new government has reached an agreement that will see big investments in the military, but not in public services.”

Belgian Court Bans Military Shipments To Israel In Activist Victory

July 23, 2025 Ana Vračar, People's Dispatch. , , , , , , , , ,
In what could become a landmark ruling, a Belgian judge recently ordered the Flemish government to halt the transit of goods that could be used to continue or expand the genocide in Gaza. The decision follows a joint campaign by four organizations – Intal, Vredesactie (Peace Action), 11.11.11, and the Human Rights League – which was triggered by the discovery of containers in the port of Antwerp addressed to Israeli company Ashot Ashkelon Industries. The containers included materials used for the assembly of Merkava tanks, the same model implicated in the attack that killed six-year-old Hind Rajab.

Over 1,000 Activists Hold Mass Blockade Of Companies Arming Israel

June 24, 2025 Ciara Carolan, The New Arab. , , , , ,
Around 1000 activists blockaded two Belgian companies that provide arms components to Israel on Monday, calling for an end to European complicity in the Gaza genocide. At 07:45 local time on Monday, around 900 Stop Arming Israel Belgium (SAIB) activists, dressed in white suits, masks, and keffiyehs, swarmed the headquarters of Syensqo in Haren, on the outskirts of Brussels. At least 650 participants were later detained. Some of the arrests were violent. Syensqo is a Belgian company that produces MTM46 resin for Hermes 450 drones - the model that killed seven aid workers in Gaza last April.

Belgian Activists Confront Reality Of Occupation During West Bank Visit

May 16, 2025 Ana Vračar, People's Dispatch. , , , , ,
Once a year, activists from Belgium join a solidarity trip to Palestine at the invitation of Viva Salud, bringing students, trade unionists, and movement organizers to the occupied territories to witness the impacts of the Israeli occupation firsthand. This year, half a dozen activists spent a week in the West Bank, learning from local organizations and observing how the situation has further deteriorated since October 7, 2023. “In Jerusalem, for example, you can no longer find the word ‘Palestine,’” one of the activists, Victor, told Peoples Dispatch. Two years ago, during a previous visit, shops sold souvenirs such as tote bags, postcards, and “Visit Palestine” posters. “I went to all the same tourist stores, and not a single one had them anymore,” they said.

Belgians To Government: ‘We Won’t Sacrifice Pensions For Warplanes’

April 29, 2025 Ana Vračar, People's Dispatch. , , ,
Protests against the pro-austerity and pro-militarization plans of Belgium’s Arizona coalition government continue. On Sunday, April 27, thousands of people demonstrated in Brussels, demanding an end to policies that would severely impact workers’ pensions and incomes, and calling for the introduction of a real millionaire’s tax and a politics of peace. “The parties in government want everyone to work longer for less pension, particularly by introducing a malus or weakening pension indexation,” said Raoul Hedebouw, leader of the Workers’ Party of Belgium (PTB-PVDA), during Sunday’s protest.

Belgium On Strike Against Arizona Coalition’s Austerity Plans

April 1, 2025 Ana Vračar, People's Dispatch. , , ,
“In short: they lied,” declared the General Labour Federation of Belgium (FGTB-ABVV) in an announcement of the general strike launched on March 31, in coordination with the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (ACV-CSC). The statement refers to the recently inaugurated Arizona coalition government, which, despite campaign promises to improve living standards, is pursuing over €1 billion in cuts to social services at the national level – while simultaneously boosting spending on militarization and so-called defense.

What Are European Leaders Going To Choose: People Or War?

March 3, 2025 Ana Vračar, People's Dispatch. , , , , , ,
Europe’s militarization has been accelerating long before Donald Trump’s return to the White House. In the past three years, Poland has increased its military spending to nearly 4% of GDP, French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to “transform” the French military for a new era, and most recently, Britain’s Labour government announced plans to slash international aid to fund a “generational” boost in defense spending. This renewed focus on expanding arsenals is growing while the region remains subordinated to US interests.

Health Workers In Brussels Demand Release Of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya

January 8, 2025 Ana Vračar, People's Dispatch. , , , , , , , ,
Health workers worldwide are demanding the release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital, who was abducted by Israeli armed forces during the recent siege on northern Gaza’s health centers. Doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and health activists organized rallies in Canada, Europe, and the United States around January 6, calling for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of Palestinian health workers’ fundamental rights. In Brussels, a rally was organized by Health Workers for Palestine, Viva Salud, and United for Palestine (Unis pour la Palestine, UPP) near the European Parliament.

ManiFiesta 2024 Brings New Energy To Activists And Movements

September 9, 2024 Ana Vračar, People's Dispatch. , , , , , , , ,
Over 15,000 people gathered in Ostend, Belgium, for ManiFiesta 2024, a two-day event of activism and solidarity. Inspired by speeches from global activists and union leaders, attendees left with a renewed drive to pursue mobilizations in different parts of Europe. Speaking at the central event of ManiFiesta, Raoul Hedebouw, president of the Workers’ Party of Belgium (PTB), set the tone by addressing growing inequalities and attacks on workers’ rights in Belgium, announcing a response from the party. A significant part of the event was also devoted to building solidarity with Palestine, with speakers such as Omar Barghouti, co-founder of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) and climate justice activist Anuna De Wever Van Der Heyden emphasizing the importance of international support for Palestinian liberation.

ManiFiesta Brings A Weekend Of Solidarity And Activism To Belgium

September 8, 2024 Ana Vračar, People's Dispatch. , , , , , , ,
Thousands are expected to gather in Ostend, Belgium, on September 7-8 for ManiFiesta, a festival of solidarity organized by a coalition of left organizations in the country. The event will mark the unofficial start of Belgium’s political season, bringing together activists, trade unionists, and political leaders to discuss some of the most pressing issues in Europe and the world today. ManiFiesta, organized by groups including Intal, Cubanismo, and Redfox, with the support of the Workers’ Party of Belgium (PTB), consists of a mix of political discussions, cultural performances, and music. This year’s lineup includes performances by funk band Jamila & the Other Heroes, and rapper Lowkey.

The Congolese People Proclaim: The Congo Is Not For Sale!

June 26, 2024 People's Dispatch. , , , , , , ,
The people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to face paramilitary attacks against refugee camps and health centers, as the extraction of Congolese natural resources continues to produce unfettered conflict. Paramilitary conflict in the country has resulted in the displacement of seven million Congolese people, with more constantly forced to flee. In light of the ongoing violence in the DRC, the Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research has published new dossier entitled, “The Congolese Fight for Their Own Wealth,” in recognition of the need for a better understanding of the colonial and imperial roots of resource extraction in the DRC, and the current fight against imperialism in the region.

How Belgian Students Forced Their University To Cut Ties With Israel

June 17, 2024 People's Dispatch. , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
The student uprising continues! Students at Ghent University have maintained a Gaza solidarity encampment for over a month, and even after winning a major victory with their university administration agreeing to cut some key ties with Israeli institutions – they are not stopping. Peoples Dispatch spoke to Mingtje Wang of COMAC, who is a masters students at the university and participant in the encampment.

Belgium’s PTB Kickstarts Campaign With Pro-People Action Plan

March 17, 2024 People's Dispatch. , , , ,
The Workers’ Party of Belgium (PTB/PVDA) has kickstarted its campaign for the 2024 Belgian federal election with a conference in Brussels on Sunday, March 10. In the gathering, party leader Raoul Hedebouw officially released its program for the upcoming federal elections scheduled for June 9 this year. The party has charted out 150 meetings across the country from March 10 to May 29, to elaborate on their election manifesto and policies with their cadre and the broader population. PTB has prioritized the fight for fiscal justice, strengthening of purchasing power, formulation of social climate policy, and the fight against politicians’ privilege in their election manifesto.
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