Belgium has taken a historic step and announced to recognize Palestine as an independent state. This decision will be taken in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this month.
Belgian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot shared this information on the social media platform X on Tuesday. He wrote, “Palestine will be recognized by Belgium in the UNGA session! And tough sanctions will be imposed against the Government of Israel.”
Belgian announced 12 new sanctions against Israel
Maxime Prevot informed that Belgium will impose 12 new sanctions against Israel, including: Banning the import of products from illegal Israeli settlements. Reviewing public procurement policies with Israeli companies. Banning Hamas leaders from entering Belgium. Prevot said that this step has been taken in view of the humanitarian tragedy taking place in Gaza and the violent acts being committed by Israel.
Conditions for Palestine’s independence
Prevot clarified that Palestine’s independence will be formally recognised only when all hostages from Gaza are released and “Hamas will have no role in the management of Palestine.”
International reaction
Belgium‘s move has generated mixed reactions in the international community. France and Saudi Arabia have jointly planned to hold a meeting at the UNGA to recognise Palestine’s independence. Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom also plan to recognise Palestine’s independence this month, although with certain conditions.
At the same time, the United States and Israel have criticised the move. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has termed it an “ill-considered decision” which “promotes Hamas’ propaganda material.” As a result, the US administration has announced the cancellation of visas for Palestinian officials.
Israel’s reaction and international pressure
Israel has strongly reacted against the recognition of Palestine’s independence. Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has warned that for every country that recognises Palestine’s independence, a new illegal Israeli settlement will be established in the occupied West Bank.
Israel says these areas are not legally “occupied” because they are disputed land. But the United Nations and most of the international community regard them as illegally occupied territories.
Belgium’s commitment
Belgium has also pledged support for the reconstruction of Palestine. “We will support European measures for the reconstruction of Palestine and support new Belgian initiatives against Hamas,” Prevot said.
Belgium’s decision is a turning point in international politics. This move is a positive step in the direction of Palestine’s independence, but it also presents new challenges in regional and global politics.
