Flemish government leaders discuss possible measures against Israel
On Friday evening, the Flemish government’s top leadership is discussing whether and what measures Flanders can take against Israel because of the situation in Palestine. The parties Vooruit and CD&V are pushing for a tougher approach and have increased pressure on the N-VA in recent days. It is however uncertain whether tonight's meeting will already produce concrete results.
On Friday evening, Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele of N-VA is meeting with his deputy minister-presidents, Hilde Crevits of CD&V, Melissa Depraetere of Vooruit and Ben Weyts of N-VA. On the table are possible measures that Flanders can take against Israel.
Vooruit and CD&V have been calling for a tougher stance on Israel for weeks, but N-VA is not going along with this for the time being. To put pressure on N-VA, Vooruit and CD&V submitted a Gaza resolution earlier this week, calling for stricter sanctions. In the resolution, CD&V and Vooruit, amongst others, call for the closure of the Flanders Investment and Trade office in Tel Aviv and a tightening of the arms embargo against Israel.
Prior to the meeting, Diependaele sent a memo to the other parties, but CD&V and Vooruit reacted very critically. The proposals in this negotiating text were far from sufficient for them.
Just before the meeting, minister Crevits however emphasised that “I’m not here to argue, but to take measures, and I hope we can discuss this in all serenity”. “The situation in Palestine is terrible, it is good that we are going to discuss a package of measures in all seriousness,” she added.
Minister Depraetere said that it is particularly important “to be able to take action against the genocide that is taking place”. Regarding Diependaele's memorandum, she simply said that there are indeed “various proposals, which is fine”. “It is important that all these proposals are now discussed within the government,” she added. Both ministers hoped for a quick breakthrough. But if this does not happen on Friday evening, “we will continue in the coming days,” said Crevits.
Minister Ben Weyts of N-VA stated that he believes an agreement could be reached on Friday evening, at least “if there is some reasonableness”. “But of course, when it comes to a competitive battle between some parties to present themselves as the most radical, most pro-Palestinian party, then it becomes a little more difficult,” Weyts declared.
On 2 September, the Flemish Parliament will vote on the resolution proposed by Vooruit and CD&V. There will also be a meeting on Gaza at the federal level on Monday.
#FlandersNewsService | The Flemish government’s top leadership © BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT
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