Belgian authorities have confirmed the presence and activities of Hamas within the country, operating through a network of shell companies to raise funds and lobby under the guise of humanitarian support for Palestinians. This revelation came in response to an inquiry by Jewish Belgian MP Michael Freilich of the New Flemish Alliance party, who raised concerns about the group’s activities in Belgium.
Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt acknowledged that Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by the European Union and many countries, engages in fundraising and lobbying within the country. The minister did not specify the entities involved but alluded to the organization’s focus on these areas. The statement marked a shift from a previous announcement just a month prior, where the minister had said there was “no concrete indication that Hamas has targeted our country.”
Belgian security authorities are now facing the challenge of addressing the illicit operations of Hamas, which involve using shell companies as a front for their fundraising efforts. Among these entities is EUPAC, an organization reportedly linked to Hamas activities in Europe and directed by Palestinian activist Majed Al-Zeer. EUPAC is accused of having vague objectives that allude to supporting the Palestinian cause while masking its true intentions to aid Hamas.
MP Freilich’s inquiry into these activities stemmed from broader concerns regarding the ability of terrorist organizations to operate within Belgium, a hub for international institutions like the European Commission and the European Council. The confirmation from the Belgian government has resulted in calls for stricter actions to be taken, including freezing the funds and halting the operations of these entities linked to Hamas.
In his public statement, Freilich emphasized the urgency for the Belgian government to intervene, mentioning previous similar instances where Hezbollah had been active in Belgium with fundraising and lobbying activities. The MP’s inquiry and the subsequent government response have brought to light the intricate methods employed by organizations like Hamas to infiltrate European countries to further their objectives, including fundraising for their operations in the Palestinian territories.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the Belgian authorities have yet to indicate concrete steps that will be taken to address these Hamas-linked activities. The issue remains a sensitive subject, intertwining the complex web of international politics, national security, and human rights.
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