Seyma Erkul Dayanc
June 05, 2026•Mise à jour: June 05, 2026
AA / Istanbul / Seyma Erkul Dayanc
The visit planned for Friday by the European Commissioner for Defense, Andrius Kubilius, to the site of the defense company Thales Belgium in Herstal was canceled after the authorities indicated that they were unable to guarantee its security due to of a pro-Palestinian demonstration, according to the Belga agency.
“The European Commission was forced to cancel the visit because the local Belgian authorities were unable to guarantee the safety of the commissioner,†a European Commission spokesperson said.
Mr. Kubilius was to visit the Herstal site alongside Walloon Minister-President Adrien Dolimont.
The local authorities explained that they had only been informed of this visit two days earlier and had encountered difficulties in deploying sufficient security in time, due to the risk of larger demonstrations.
Herstal mayor Frederic Daerden called the last-minute cancellation a “wise decision,” citing concerns about public order.
The demonstration was organized by pro-Palestinian activists and human rights organizations, who contest Wallonia’s policy regarding the transit of military equipment to Israel.
A new meeting between the European Commission and Thales Belgium should be held later in Brussels.
*Translated from English by Sanaa Amir
