Flemish government remains deadlocked over Gaza; talks to continue on Monday
On Sunday, the Flemish government once again failed to reach an agreement on possible measures against Israel. After less than three hours of talks, the core of the Diependaele administration broke up without reaching an agreement.
According to the office of minister president Matthias Diependaele (N-VA), however, progress has been made and discussions will resume on Monday.
Earlier in the day, Diependaele had sharply criticised the resolution tabled unilaterally by coalition parties CD&V and Vooruit, which proposes sanctions against Israel. In an interview on VRT's De Ochtend, he called the resolution “reckless”.
Diependaele also reiterated his previous statement that he does not know "who the bigger bastard is: Hamas or Israel". CD&V leader Sammy Mahdi described the remark as shameful. “I stand by it,” Diependaele insisted. "I have received a flood of hate mail from both sides, but my concern is for the innocent victims who are dying from violence and hunger."
On Tuesday, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Flemish Parliament is due to meet to vote on the CD&V and Vooruit resolution. This meeting is therefore seen as the effective deadline for the governing coalition to reach a consensus. Failure to do so could trigger a political crisis.
#FlandersNewsService | Flemish minister president Matthias Diependaele © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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