Belgium has announced it will recognise the state of Palestine and impose sanctions on Israel, joining a growing Western movement to do so. Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said recognition would occur at the United Nations General Assembly this month, but only after Hamas released all remaining Israeli hostages and relinquished full control of the Gaza Strip. Mr Prévot added that Belgium would sanction two “extremist” Israeli cabinet ministers, violent settlers, and ban imports from products originating in illegal settlements, while also reviewing public procurement contracts involving Israeli firms. Hamas leaders will be designated as “persona non grata” in Belgium.
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The announcement follows earlier moves by France, where President Emmanuel Macron initiated European efforts to recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly in New York. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer indicated he would support recognition of Palestine if Israel met certain conditions, including a ceasefire in Gaza and the resumption of humanitarian aid. Dozens of Western governments have made similar statements of intent, though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned such recognition would “reward Hamas’s monstrous terrorism and punish its victims,” a view echoed by former US President Donald Trump.
Mr Prévot stated that Belgium would take a “firm commitment to call for European measures targeting Hamas and support new Belgian initiatives to combat anti-Semitism, mobilising security services and involving representatives of Jewish communities.” He also indicated Belgium would back EU member states seeking to suspend the European Union’s association agreement with Israel. The European Commission had proposed ceasing research and development cooperation under the agreement due to Israel’s alleged human rights violations, though Germany and other EU members have resisted such measures.
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The Belgian government acknowledged that the decision risked destabilising its fragile ruling coalition and halting government business. Mr Prévot and his centrist Les Engagés party warned that without a tougher stance on Israel from Flemish nationalists and other liberal coalition partners, the country could face political gridlock. The move positions Belgium among a growing number of Western nations willing to take decisive action regarding Palestinian recognition and sanctions on Israel.
