2 hours agoBelgium to recognise Palestinian state at UN General Assembly
Periskopi(9 months ago)
(9 months ago)Belgium will recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly session (UNGA), which will open on 9 September, according to Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot. This adds international pressure on Israel as Australia, France, Canada and the United Kingdom made similar moves. “Palestina will be recognised by [...]
This adds international pressure on Israel as Australia, France, Canada and the United Kingdom made similar moves.
“Palestina will be recognised by Belgium during the UN session! And strong sanctions are being imposed on the Israeli government”, Prevot reported in an X post.
The Belgian top diplomat found that the government would implement 12 sanctions against Israel at the national level following what was happening “humanitarian tragedy in Palestine” and in response to the violence committed by Israel in violation of international law.
“Belgjika had to make strong decisions to increase pressure on the Israeli government”, Prevot said, writes Euronews, sends out Telegrafi.
This is not about sanctioning the Israeli people, but about ensuring that their government respects international and humanitarian law and takes action to try to change the situation on the ground”.
The sanctions will include a ban on importing products from settlements, a review of public procurement policies with Israeli companies, and restrictions on consular assistance for Belgian citizens living in illegal settlements.
These will also include possible judicial prosecutions, bans for air and transit flights, the definition of two extremist Israeli ministers, Hamas leaders and several violent settlers such as “persona non-grata” in Belgium.
Although Prevot did not mention the two Israeli ministers, he likely refers to far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Grvir, and Finance Minister Bezale Smotrich, who have faced similar actions undertaken against them from other EU countries, such as the Netherlands.
Prevot also announced that Belgium will move to support measures at the EU level to suspend co-operation with Israel, including the suspension of the bloc's association agreement with Israel, research programmes and technical co-operation.
“Belgjika will recognise Palestine during the joint initiative of France and Saudi Arabia! A strong political and diplomatic gesture to preserve the chances of a two-state solution”, Prevot wrote.
He added that Brussels would participate in the initiative to mark the condemnation of Israel's expansionist ambitions with its residential programmes and military invasion”.
Belgian Foreign Minister stressed that the measures are designed to keep the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, responsible for its actions during her 22-month offensive in Gaza. /Periscopi/
