Amnesty International has joined a criminal complaint against FedEx Belgium over the alleged unlawful transit of arms shipments to Israel, including parts for F-35 fighter jets used by the Israeli military in Gaza , the rights group announced on Wednesday.
The complaint was filed with prosecutors in the Belgian city of Liège by a coalition of civil society organisations including Vredesactie, Ligue des droits humains and Coordination nationale d’action pour la paix et la démocratie.
The organisations allege that FedEx Belgium failed to obtain the transit licence required under Walloon regional law for a shipment of military equipment destined for Israel, potentially constituting a criminal offence under Belgian legislation.
According to Amnesty, a shipment subject to US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) was transported by FedEx from Hill Air Force Base in Utah to Israel's Nevatim airbase in October 2024.
The rights group said the cargo later passed through Liège Airport before being transferred by road to Cologne Airport in Germany and then continuing to Israel.
Amnesty cited statements made by FedEx in June 2025 indicating that some shipments subject to US arms export controls may have passed through Liège after flight routes were altered during the conflict between Iran and Israel, which temporarily disrupted access to Israeli airspace.
Carine Thibaut, director of Amnesty International's French-speaking Belgian branch, said the complaint aimed to halt what she described as the unlawful transit of arms through Belgium to Israel and ensure accountability.
"We are concerned that a pattern is emerging where Belgian and Walloon authorities are not putting mechanisms in place to effectively regulate the transit of arms," Thibaut said.
"By bringing this case, we hope to stop the further unlawful transit of arms through Belgium to Israel and secure accountability. It's not acceptable that multinationals like FedEx can ignore the rules when it suits them. They are not above the law."
The complaint comes amid mounting scrutiny of international arms transfers to Israel during its military campaign in Gaza. Amnesty argued that states have obligations under international law to prevent arms transfers where there is a clear risk they could be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The organisation also pointed to the International Court of Justice's July 2024 advisory opinion, which found that states must not assist in maintaining Israel's unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory.
Amnesty said Walloon authorities suspended licences for the export of explosive powder to Israel in 2024 and later banned the transit of weapons through Liège and Charleroi airports, citing concerns over the war in Gaza and the risk of genocide identified by the International Court of Justice.
"This case comes at a time of renewed pressure on EU governments and companies to move beyond words of condemnation to actions which are essential to bring an end to Israel's ongoing genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip," Thibaut said.
FedEx Belgium rejected the allegations, telling Amnesty that it complies with all applicable laws and regulations.
"FedEx is committed to complying with applicable laws and regulations. We do not ship weapons or ammunition internationally and have put in place strict screening procedures to prevent such shipments," a company spokesperson said.
Amnesty reiterated its call for a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel, including military equipment, technology and components that could be used in the genocide in Gaza or support Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory.