Brussels, Sept 3: Belgium will move toward recognising a Palestinian state, the country’s foreign minister said Tuesday, joining a growing list of countries preparing to take the step as Israel steps up its offensive in Gaza.Maxime Prevot said Belgium’s plans to recognise a Palestinian state will be announced at the United Nations General Assembly on September 9.
However, the acknowledgment is predicated on two conditions — the return of all Israeli hostages held in Gaza and the removal of Hamas from political power in the coastal exclave. The conditions make it unlikely the recognition will be formalised anytime soon.
The announcement marks the latest sign of international support for a Palestinian state, and would add Belgium to a list of more than 140 countries to recognise Palestinian statehood, including more than a dozen in Europe.
Prevot on Tuesday also announced plans to ban goods coming from Israeli settlements in the West Bank and designate Hamas leaders, violent settlers, and two far-right Israeli ministers as persona non grata.
“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,” Prevot said on social platform X.
Prevot said the European Union should increase more pressure on Israel by suspending ties with the country, including its trade pact known as the Association Agreement.
Israel’s war in Gaza has stressed ties within the bloc’s 27 nations, ignited protests across the continent, and frayed political coalitions including in Belgium and its neighbour the Netherlands. But despite growing political tension, Israel’s deep ties with European military, business and academic institutions remain largely intact.