Belgium on Tuesday said it would recognize a Palestinian state after Israel‘s war with Hamas is concluded, and once certain conditions are met.
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prévot announced that the country would partially follow the lead of several other European countries in recognizing a Palestinian state. However, unlike most others, Brussels is holding off until several conditions are met, including the ousting of Hamas from power and the release of the remaining hostages.
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“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,” Prévot said. “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.”
He also announced 12 new sanctions against Israel and Hamas, including restrictions on interactions with Israeli settlements and the designation of two Israeli ministers as “persona non grata” in Belgium.
Prévot said Belgium would also support measures within the European Union to suspend cooperation with Israel on the national majority, including research programs and technical cooperation.
His statement was more conciliatory to Israel than others, however, constantly stressing Brussels’s firm stance against Hamas and antisemitism. He justified Belgium’s delayed recognition of a Palestinian state along these lines.
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“Aware of the trauma caused to the Israeli people by the terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023, by Hamas, the administrative formalization of this recognition by royal decree will take place once the last hostage has been released and Hamas no longer has any role in managing Palestine,” Prévot said.
Belgium’s recognition of a Palestinian state puts it in the same European camp as France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, and Spain. France and the U.K.’s announcements last month came as a shock to many, representing some of the most significant international pressure exercised against Israel yet.