ALBAWABA - Belgium's Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot announced Tuesday that Brussels will be recognizing a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in late September.
He wrote on X: "In light of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, and in response to 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. This is not about sanctioning the Israeli people but about ensuring that their government respects international and humanitarian law and taking action to try to change the situation on the ground."
The stateemnt continued: "12 firm sanctions are being implemented at the national level, including a ban on importing products from the settlements, a review of public procurement policies with Israeli companies, restrictions on consular assistance to Belgians living in illegal settlements under international law, potential judicial prosecutions, bans on overflights and transit, the designation of two extremist Israeli ministers, several violent settlers, and Hamas leaders as "persona non grata" in our country."
The minister said that his country wants to push for a "two-state solution" by joining the countries that have signed the New York Declaration. He added that Belgium would also place "firm sanctions" on the Israeli government.
The "two-state solution" stresses the idea of a Palestinian state co-existing in peace alongside Israel.
Belgium's move to recgnize Palestine comes after a similar decision taken by other countries, including Australia, France, Canada and the United Kingdom, aiming to increase pressure on the Israeli government to end the war in Gaza and alleviate the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
