Belgium to recognise Palestinian state, impose sanctions on Israel

Belgium will formally recognise the State of Palestine at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session later this month, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prévot announced on Tuesday.

“Palestine will be recognised by Belgium at the UN session! And firm sanctions will be imposed against the Israeli government,” Prévot wrote on X, adding that 12 punitive measures would be enforced.

These include a ban on imports from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and a review of public procurement policies with Israeli firms.

Prévot, a leader of Belgium’s centrist Christian Democrat party, said the decision was being taken “in light of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Palestine, particularly in Gaza.” He clarified, however, that formal recognition would only take place once the remaining captives in Gaza are released and “Hamas no longer has any role in managing Palestine.”

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, from the Flemish nationalist party, had earlier said that recognition of Palestinian statehood should be tied to strict conditions, according to the Belga news agency.

Also Read: Israel destroying Islamic artifacts in 'illegal excavation' under Al-Aqsa Mosque: Palestine

At the end of July, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would also recognise Palestine during the UNGA. France and Saudi Arabia are scheduled to co-host a meeting on Palestinian recognition on September 22. Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom have similarly pledged to extend recognition this month, subject to conditions.

As of April 2024, 147 countries — about 75 percent of UN members — had already recognised Palestinian statehood. Israel and the United States have strongly opposed the push, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling France’s announcement a “reckless decision” that “only serves Hamas propaganda.”