Belgium will formally recognise a Palestinian state at this month’s United Nations General Assembly, Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot announced on Tuesday. The decision places Belgium alongside Australia, Britain, Canada and France, who have recently made similar moves, intensifying global pressure on Israel over its war in Gaza.
Prevot confirmed that Belgium would sign the New York Declaration, a diplomatic initiative led by France and Saudi Arabia that supports a two-state solution — envisioning a Palestinian state coexisting peacefully alongside Israel.
“In light of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, and in response to the violence perpetrated by Israel in violation of international law, Belgium has chosen to act,” Prevot said in a post on X.
Beyond recognition, Belgium plans to impose 12 “firm” sanctions on Israel. These include a ban on importing products from Israeli settlements, stricter scrutiny of public procurement involving Israeli companies, and the designation of Hamas leaders as persona non grata in Belgium. Prevot stressed that the measures are aimed at both pressuring Israel over settlement expansion and military actions, and holding Hamas accountable for violence.
The move comes after a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Copenhagen on Saturday, where members remained sharply divided over how to respond to the conflict. While some urged strong economic action against Israel, others opposed sanctions outright.
Prevot said Belgium would also advocate for European measures targeting Hamas while supporting fresh Belgian initiatives to combat antisemitism and aid in Palestine’s reconstruction.
The recognition of Palestinian statehood has angered Israel and drawn criticism from some allies of the country. US President Donald Trump earlier denounced Canada’s support for Palestinian recognition, while Republican Senator Marco Rubio labelled France’s decision “reckless.” The White House has yet to respond to Belgium’s announcement.
The United States maintains that Palestinian statehood should only emerge through direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. On Friday, Washington announced that it would bar Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas from attending September’s UN summit, where several allies are expected to formalise recognition of Palestine.
Palestinians seek an independent state in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza, with East Jerusalem as its capital. In 2024, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel’s occupation and settlement expansion were illegal and must end “as soon as possible.”
Israel disputes this characterisation, insisting the territories are “disputed” rather than “occupied.” While Israel annexed East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights decades ago, those moves have not been recognised internationally.
Israel launched its military assault on Gaza in October 2023 after Hamas fighters attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. The war has since fuelled a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, drawing mounting criticism from governments and human rights groups worldwide.
Belgium’s decision adds another layer of diplomatic pressure on Israel, signalling that frustration with the status quo is deepening in Europe and beyond.
Melissa Enoch
Follow us on:
