Scientific progress cannot go hand in hand with regression of humanity
The BIRA-IASB institute was targeted yesterday by an activist group, aiming at shedding light on the tight links existing between IASB and OIP Sensor Systems, a major industrial partner in many projects (VenSpec-H, Altius, Nomad,…).
Since 2003, OIP belongs to Elbit Systems, the largest Israeli arms manufacturer, and first furnishing body of the Israeli army - 85% of its ground tools and drones. The involvement of Elbit in the ongoing genocide occuring in Gaza is largely documented. The activist groups StopElbit and Stop Arming Israel Belgium have already gathered a large amount of data on this topic [1][2].
Elbit is being furnished with optical technologies through OIP, and worker mobility between both companies is frequent. Hence, skills and technologies developed thanks to the partnership with BIRA-IASB institute are likely to be used for military purposes and to end up in the hands of the israelian army.
Through its partnership with OIP, BIRA-IASB is contributing in developing dual use technologies, used in the benefits of companies linked with the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
We do not want to see the work done by researchers benefiting such genocidal company. An email was sent to employees to warn them about the stakes behind their work.
[1] https://stopelbit.be/html/research.html
[2] https://stop-arming-israel-belgium.com/elbit-oip-en-belgium/