Belgium will officially recognize the State of Palestine during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, scheduled for later this month. This announcement was made by Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot on Tuesday, who also confirmed that the Belgian government would enforce sanctions on Israel.
“Palestine will be recognized by Belgium at the UN session! And firm sanctions are being imposed against the Israeli government,” Prevot wrote on X.
Israel has not yet responded to this declaration.
Political and Diplomatic Implications
Prevot articulated that this decision aims to convey a “strong political and diplomatic signal” intended to bolster the prospects of a two-state solution while denouncing Israel’s expansionist measures, including its colonization initiatives and military occupations.
While acknowledging the traumas faced by Israeli citizens in light of the terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, Prevot mentioned that the formal recognition of Palestine would be officially declared by royal decree only when the last hostage is released and Hamas ceases all administrative control over Palestine.
This pivotal announcement helps mitigate a potential political crisis within Belgium, which has been marked by divisions in the ruling coalition.
International Context
This decision follows French President Emmanuel Macron’s earlier declaration that France would recognize a Palestinian state at the UN meeting between September 9 and 23 in New York. Several other Western nations have echoed this sentiment, prompting Israeli ministers to criticize the movement as a “reward for terror” in response to the October 7 attacks.
Additionally, the United States recently announced it will prevent Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas from attending the UN General Assembly.
Reasons for Recognition
Prevot emphasized that Belgium’s stance is driven by the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling for increased pressure on both Israel and Hamas.
“In the face of the violence perpetrated by Israel in violation of international law, given its international obligations, including the duty to prevent any risk of genocide, Belgium had to take strong decisions to increase pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas terrorists,” he stated.
He assured that the intent is not to punish the Israeli populace but to ensure that the government adheres to international and humanitarian law and to effect change on the ground.
Furthermore, Prevot reaffirmed that the Belgian government will firmly condemn any antisemitism or glorification of terrorism attributed to Hamas supporters.
Sanctions Overview
Prevot outlined a series of twelve measures concerning the sanctions against Israel, including:
- A ban on the import of goods from Israeli settlements;
- A review of public procurement processes involving Israeli companies;
- Limitations on consular assistance to Belgians in settlements defined as illegal under international law;
- Potential judicial actions;
- Bans on overflights and transit.
The practicality of the overflight and transit bans remains uncertain, although reports suggest it may apply to the Israeli military.
Moreover, Prevot indicated that two right-wing Israeli ministers, along with various extremist settlers and Hamas leaders, will be deemed “persona non gratae” in Belgium. While he did not specify which ministers would be affected, previous restrictions have been placed on far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister.
European and International Cooperation
In addition to national measures, Belgium plans to advocate within the European Union for the suspension of cooperation with Israel, which encompasses potentially halting the association agreement, research initiatives, and technical collaboration. A recent EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Copenhagen revealed significant disagreements over the Gaza conflict, with some members calling for substantial economic pressure on Israel, while others strongly opposed such actions.
Prevot also announced Belgium’s intention to join the “New York Declaration,” which proposes a phased approach to resolve the longstanding conflict and ongoing hostilities in Gaza. This plan envisions a sovereign, demilitarized Palestine coexisting peacefully alongside Israel, eventually leading to integration within the broader Middle East.
In July, a consortium of Arab and Muslim nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey, signed this declaration. They condemned Hamas for its actions on October 7, 2023, and called for the release of all hostages, disarmament, and an end to its governance in Gaza to facilitate the resolution of the conflict. Significantly, seventeen countries, along with the 22-member Arab League and the entire European Union, backed the declaration, which emerged from a UN conference aimed at revitalizing the two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians.
Conclusion
Israel continues to face mounting pressure to conclude its military operations in Gaza, where the protracted conflict has led to a severe humanitarian crisis and widespread devastation.
