Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Belgium will formally recognize the State of Palestine during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session in New York this September, Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot announced on Tuesday. The move adds to mounting international pressure on Israel over its ongoing military campaign in Gaza and its broader policies in the occupied Palestinian territories.
In a post on the social platform X (formerly Twitter), Prévot confirmed Belgium’s intention to join the signatories of the “New York Declaration,” a diplomatic initiative spearheaded by France and Saudi Arabia that aims to revive the two-state solution and push for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel.
“In light of the unfolding humanitarian tragedy in Palestine particularly in Gaza and in response to the violence committed by Israel in violation of international law, Belgium will recognize the State of Palestine,” Prévot wrote.
The announcement aligns Belgium with a wave of countries among them France, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, that have signaled support for Palestinian statehood ahead of the UN summit. This coordinated shift, unfolding during the annual General Assembly meetings from September 9 to 23, is being seen as a major diplomatic challenge to Israel and its long-standing opposition to unilateral recognition of Palestinian sovereignty.
A Politically Charged Moment
Israel has reacted angrily to these developments, accusing supporting countries of undermining peace efforts and emboldening Hamas. U.S. Republican figures have also condemned the shift: Former President Donald Trump criticized Canada’s support for Palestinian statehood, while current Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled France’s decision “reckless.” The Biden administration has yet to formally comment on Belgium’s announcement, but the White House is reportedly weighing its response.
In a related development, U.S. officials reportedly plan to block Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas from traveling to New York in September, where he had been expected to address the General Assembly and rally support for recognition.
Belgian Sanctions on Israel and Hamas
Alongside its recognition of Palestine, Belgium is set to impose a set of 12 “strict sanctions” targeting the Israeli government. These include:
- A ban on importing goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank;
- A review of public procurement contracts with Israeli companies;
- Travel restrictions against leaders of the Palestinian group Hamas, who will be declared persona non grata in Belgium.
Foreign Minister Prévot emphasized that the measures are part of a broader diplomatic strategy designed to increase pressure on both the Israeli government and Hamas. He reaffirmed Belgium’s commitment to rebuilding efforts in Palestinian territories and announced that his government would also call for new EU-wide initiatives to counter anti-Semitism while upholding international law.
Divisions in Europe
The Belgian announcement comes on the heels of a divisive meeting of EU foreign ministers in Copenhagen over the weekend, where members debated the bloc’s response to the war in Gaza. While some countries advocated strong economic pressure on Israel, others warned against measures they viewed as politically premature or destabilizing.
The EU as a whole has not yet adopted a unified position on Palestinian statehood, although momentum for recognition appears to be growing. A common EU stance would require consensus among all 27 member states, something that remains elusive.
Rising Tensions Over West Bank Annexation
The international push for Palestinian recognition has drawn a sharp response from Israel. According to a Reuters report in August citing senior Israeli officials, the Israeli government is considering a formal annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank as a retaliatory move.
Such a step would likely inflame tensions further. In a 2023 advisory ruling, the International Court of Justice concluded that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem, is illegal under international law, and called for Israeli withdrawal “as soon as possible.” However, Israel has long maintained that these areas are “disputed territories,” rejecting the characterization of occupation.
Israel’s decades-old annexations of East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights have never been recognized internationally.
A Conflict Without End
Israel launched its current military operation in Gaza in October 2023 following a deadly cross-border attack by Hamas that killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of over 250 hostages. Since then, the war has drawn widespread international condemnation over the scale of civilian casualties and destruction in the Gaza Strip.
Palestinians seek to establish an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital, a vision broadly supported by the international community but stalled for decades amid failed peace talks, ongoing occupation, and violent escalations.
With Belgium’s recognition, and more expected to follow during the UN General Assembly, advocates for Palestinian statehood see a rare diplomatic opening. Whether this momentum translates into meaningful political change, or hardens divisions further, remains to be seen.
