Belgium 'tired' of EU inaction on Gaza, says Foreign minister
Belgium has decided to approve sanctions against Israel because it is "tired" of the European Union not wanting to take effective measures, said Foreign minister Maxime Prévot in Parliament on Wednesday.
Earlier on Wednesday, Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez also criticised the European response to the war in Gaza, labelling it a "failure".
Prévot was invited to parliament to explain the government's recent decision to impose sanctions on Israel and to outline the steps towards recognising Palestine as a state.
'Historic' agreement
He described Monday night's agreement as "historic". "These are historic decisions that have been welcomed by many countries, starting with Palestine itself," he said. "We are siding with the proactive states."
He listed the 12 sanctions imposed, which include measures against violent settlers, settler organisations and Hamas members. A ban on arms exports and transit was also approved.
Credibility under threat
According to Prévot, these measures now place Belgium "at the forefront" in Europe. He also emphasised his intention to maintain Belgium's "leading role" in diplomacy, adding that this credibility was under threat.
He said that the deal was reached because Belgium is fed up with the European Union's inaction.
"The government has decided to approve a long series of sanctions and measures, no fewer than twelve, that fall within our Belgian powers, because we are tired of the European Union itself not wanting to take effective measures and sanctions, even though this is precisely the level that could have the greatest impact," he said.
© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK / BELGA VIDEO JEROME FETU
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