The municipal council of Ghent (Belgium's third-largest city) has approved a stricter procurement policy barring purchases from any company that directly or indirectly profits from economic activities linked to human rights violations in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. The expanded boycott, which builds on a measure already in place since 2024, will apply across city departments as well as the public welfare agency, social housing authority, police, and fire service, with particular scrutiny on sectors including pharmaceuticals, software, hardware, security systems, and construction materials. City officials described Ghent as an unwilling pioneer, noting that higher levels of government have remained silent on the issue, and pledged to continue monitoring compliance as the conflict continues.