Government parties display internal division by avoiding commission on Palestine
On Tuesday, the Foreign Affairs Committee was due to discuss several proposals related to the situation, including the possible recognition of a Palestinian state. However, the meeting had to be suspended because the seats of the coalition parties remained empty.
The governing parties in Belgium's federal coalition remain deeply divided over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Just last week, CD&V leader Sammy Mahdi called for Belgium to join France in recognising the Palestinian state. However, this proposal was met with strong opposition, particularly from the right-wing MR and N-VA parties.
To discuss the issue further, the opposition parties Groen, PS and PVDA called a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee for Tuesday afternoon. Three proposals were on the agenda, including sanctions, recognition of Palestine and a possible embargo on Israel.
"Consultations are underway to reach a balanced position"
But when the meeting began, representatives of the N-VA, MR, Les Engagés, Vooruit and CD&V were absent. Even the chair of the committee, Els Van Hoof (CD&V), was absent. As a result, the meeting had to be suspended for lack of a quorum.
Opposition MPs expressed outrage at the coalition's absence, saying they had sabotaged the meeting because of their internal divisions over the conflict. Vooruit later said that it "remains committed to starting to condemn the violence in Gaza". Aurore Tourneur of Les Engagés said that "consultations are underway to reach a balanced position".
Not the first controversy
Internal divisions over the conflict within the ruling coalition have long been apparent. Earlier this month, prime minister Bart De Wever (N-VA) sparked controversy by suggesting that Belgium would not arrest his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
CD&V, Les Engagés and Vooruit were not pleased, saying that his position had not been discussed in the government. De Wever had to explain himself in front of parliament, while Foreign minister Maxime Prévot scheduled a meeting with the ICC president "to reiterate our support and dispel any doubts".
Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prevot. © BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND
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