Foreign minister: Belgian position on recognition of Palestine to be defined in September
The Belgian position on recognising the state of Palestine will be determined by the government in early September, the office of Foreign minister Maxime Prévot has confirmed.
However, Prévot has not responded directly to the announcement by French president Emmanuel Macron that France will recognise Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
The Belgian government’s position on the issue will be determined in the run-up to the UN meeting and a possible summit on Palestine on the sidelines. Discussions are likely to take place between France and Belgium in the meantime.
Belgium’s opposition parties have backed Macron’s decision and are calling on the country to follow suit.
Paul Magnette, leader of the socialist PS party, was quick to react to the announcement on Thursday evening. “If Macron can do it, there’s no reason why Belgium shouldn’t too,” he posted on X. “Given the ongoing genocide, recognising Palestine is the only way to put pressure on the Netanyahu government and move forward towards peace.”
Flemish liberals Open VLD agree. “France and Emmanuel Macron will recognise Palestine as a state in September. Belgium must join them,” said MP Kjell Vander Elst on X.
“More than 60,000 victims, a starving population, no prospect of peace. Recognition must be part of a process towards legitimate and democratic autonomy,” he said. “The time has come for a European coalition for peace.”
Macron announced on Thursday evening that France would officially recognise the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in New York. It will be the first G7 nation to do so. Among the countries to have already recognised Palestine are EU member states Spain, Poland, Czechia, Romania, Sweden and Ireland.
"What about Belgium? How many more deaths will it take for our government to assume its responsibilities?"
The decision is “a turning point”, according to Ecolo co-leader Samuel Cogolati. “But it’s not enough. It’s not recognition that feeds babies in Gaza or stops ethnic cleansing in the West Bank," he said.
"We need sanctions. We need protection. We need action. What about Belgium? How many more deaths will it take for our government to assume its responsibilities?”
CD&V leader Sammy Mahdi has recently expressed his frustration at the lack of sanctions imposed by Belgium on Israel. He believes a “small country” like Belgium cannot solve the situation, but it can be a “catalyst to get others moving”.
Francophone liberals MR and, to a lesser extent, Flemish nationalists N-VA – both members of the government coalition – are opposed to both recognising Palestine and imposing sanctions on Israel.
On Thursday, CD&V, Vooruit and Les Engagés MPs spoke up on the issue, following King Philippe’s speech on Belgium’s National Day. The King called for an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and described the situation as “a disgrace to humanity”.
A protester holds a Palestinian flag during a rally in Paris, May 2024 © PHOTO JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP
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