Brussels Airlines workers threaten strike over flights to Israel, union cites ethical objections
They argued that flying to Israel could not be deemed sufficiently safe, citing Belgium’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which advises against “all non-essential travel to Israel and Jerusalem.”
Belgian trade union ACV Puls has warned of a possible strike at Brussels Airlines over staff being required to work on flights to Israel. The union claims that safety and conscientious concerns should allow workers to refuse the flights. Brussels Airlines resumed flights to Tel Aviv in August following a five-month hiatus due to the US-Israeli war in Iran.
The airline's first flights were operated by volunteers. Union spokesperson Jolinde Defieuw expressed serious concerns about the physical and mental impact of these flights, especially considering the ongoing war and the genocide in Gaza. The union argues that making staffing mandatory is particularly serious in this context. They also point to Belgium's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which advises against non-essential travel to Israel and Jerusalem.
ACV Puls argues that workers should be able to decline flights for ethical reasons without facing financial, professional, or disciplinary repercussions. Brussels Airlines spokesperson Nico Cardone maintains that safety is the company's top priority and that the airline is not a political entity. The airline operates three weekly flights to Tel Aviv and denies compelling crews to work due to a lack of volunteers.
The union has called on the Belgian government to address the availability of commercial flights to Israel, given the ongoing war, civilian casualties, and accusations of war crimes and human rights violations against Palestinians. Belgium has tightened its stance against Israel since 2023, barring aircraft carrying military equipment bound for Israel from its airspace and recently approving a ban on goods imported from Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
