Vooruit and CD&V want to convene parliament and government over Gaza
Two of Belgium's five governing parties have called for parliament and the council of ministers to convene and discuss the situation in Gaza. "We hope that humanity will prevail over political boundaries," said Vooruit leader Conner Rousseau on Wednesday.
While countries such as France and the United Kingdom are taking a firm position on the violence in Gaza, theCD&V and Vooruit are urging Belgium's MPs and ministers to suspend their summer recess in order to discuss the matter.
Opposition parties Groen and Ecolo called on Tuesday for parliament's Foreign Affairs committee to convene and discuss the situation. Both CD&V and Vooruit support this request and want to take it further by convening the council of ministers as well.
Decisive action
"The committee will limit itself to a hearing and therefore does not have sufficient power," said Nawal Farih, leader of Christian democrats CD&V. "It is important to us that the government considers this issue and takes decisive action."
"We also want both parliament and the council of ministers to meet in August"
The council of ministers comprises all the federal government ministers and decides on government policy, usually by majority vote. Last week, Foreign minister Maxime Prévot announced that Belgium would delay any decision on whether to recognise Palestine until early September.
But this is not fast enough for some government parties, including socialists Vooruit. "We also want both parliament and the council of ministers to meet in August," said Rousseau.
Stronger signal
Rousseau said he believed this step was necessary "to send a stronger signal and take tougher action against the genocide taking place in Gaza". "We hope that humanity will prevail over political boundaries," he said.
The Flemish nationalist N-VA, the party of prime minister Bart De Wever, said it would support a parliamentary committee meeting. “Any debate that seeks solutions to end this terrible situation is worthwhile," said the party's parliamentary group leader, Axel Ronse.
On the same day, De Wever announced that Belgium had received approval from Jordan to provide short-term humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
"Together with our European partners, we will continue to exert pressure to ensure that humanitarian aid can be organised safely and effectively," De Wever wrote on X. "If that fails, we do not rule out further measures or sanctions", he said, adding that "the coexistence of Israel and a democratic Palestinian state is the only path to peace".
A national demonstration in solidarity with Palestine and Gaza in Brussels, 15 June 2025 © PHOTO HANS LUCAS COLLECTION
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