Belgium has announced plans to recognise the state of Palestine and impose sanctions on Israel, joining a growing number of Western countries considering similar measures. Maxime Prevot, the Belgian Foreign Minister, stated that recognition would occur at the UN General Assembly later this month, contingent on Hamas releasing the remaining Israeli hostages and relinquishing control of the Gaza Strip.
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As part of the policy shift, Belgium will sanction two “extremist” Israeli cabinet ministers and violent settlers, ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements, and review public contracts involving Israeli companies. Hamas leaders will also be declared “persona non grata” in Belgium. Earlier this year, French President Emmanuel Macron signalled a European push to recognise Palestinian statehood, which the UK, under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, indicated it might support under certain conditions.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from Israel and the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued that it “rewards Hamas’s monstrous terrorism and punishes its victims,” while the US described it as a “slap in the face” to victims of Hamas’s October 7 attacks. The contrasting stances are expected to create tensions among UN member states during the General Assembly sessions from 9–23 September.
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Belgium has also pledged to call for European measures targeting Hamas and combat anti-Semitism, mobilising its security services and involving Jewish community representatives. The European Commission has proposed suspending research and development cooperation with Israel due to alleged human rights breaches, though some EU members, including Germany, have resisted such measures. Palestine’s Foreign Ministry welcomed Belgium’s decision and urged other nations to follow suit to advance a political resolution to the conflict.
