De Wever: Recognition of Palestine only useful if conditions are met
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Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever has said that recognising Palestine will only be useful if it is linked to strict conditions. He announced this during a press conference in Berlin on Tuesday alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as the two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation and the conflict in Gaza.
At Merz’s invitation, De Wever travelled to Berlin on Tuesday to discuss German-Belgian cooperation and geopolitical issues. The conflict in Gaza, which remains a divisive topic within the federal government, was raised during the meeting.
On Monday, deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister Maxime Prévot threatened to “block important dossiers” if the government did not adopt a stricter stance towards Israel. Vooruit and CD&V have previously said the issue could provoke a government crisis. The inner cabinet will discuss the matter on Wednesday. "We will discuss it within our coalition because, as you know, opinions are divided, as they are everywhere in Europe," De Wever said.
Recognition only with strict conditions
In addition to sanctions, Prévot is calling for steps towards recognising Palestine. However, De Wever argued that such recognition is useless unless several conditions are met. “I think this recognition is necessary, but it must also be linked to conditions to finally make a two-state solution possible,” he said, listing requirements such as the demilitarisation of Hamas, the release of hostages and security guarantees for Israel. Without these conditions, recognition would be “pointless and even counterproductive,” he added, noting that the issue would be raised with coalition partners on Wednesday.
“Everyone wants the war to end as quickly as possible, and everyone sees that the Israeli government is making serious mistakes,” De Wever continued. “I think we need to prioritise and focus on supplies and the protection of the civilian population, and that we need to act at the European level to achieve this.”
European context and Germany’s stance
Several European countries, including France, have already announced their intention to recognise a Palestinian state during the United Nations General Assembly in New York at the end of September. Germany will not follow suit, Merz confirmed. “The German government has always supported a two-state solution, but at this time, the conditions for the recognition of an independent Palestinian state are not met,” he said.
Nevertheless, Merz noted that Israel must not make such a state impossible. Germany, he said, has been outspoken about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Israel’s settlement policy.
© PHOTO PICTURE ALLIANCE PHOTO (DPA)
Merz also condemned the Israeli attack on Nasser Hospital in Gaza, which killed five journalists. Israel described the incident as a “tragic accident.” “This casts a shadow over Israel’s justified approach to Hamas,” Merz said.
He attributed the attack to Israel’s announced plan to capture Gaza City and warned that such incidents are likely to occur more frequently in the coming days and weeks. “I therefore feel confirmed in my decision that Israel will no longer receive weapons from Germany that could be deployed in the Gaza Strip under these circumstances.”
Belgian prime minister Bart de Wever attends a joint press conference with the German Chancellor after bilateral talks at the Chancellery in Berlin on 26 August, 2025. PHOTO © TOBIAS SCHWARZ / AFP
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