Belgium to recognize Palestinian state and sanction Israeli officials

Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Maxime Prévot, announced the country's intention to recognize the State of Palestine at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly on Sep 9.

This move aligns Belgium with other Western nations expressing support for Palestinian statehood amid ongoing violence in Gaza.

Prévot emphasized that the recognition would be formalized through a royal decree, contingent upon the release of all hostages held by Hamas and the cessation of Hamas's governance in the Palestinian territories.

Additionally, Belgium plans to impose 12 sanctions targeting Israeli officials and products from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Notably, Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are among those facing sanctions, accused of inciting extremist violence and human rights abuses.

In response, Minister Ben-Gvir criticized Belgium's decision, accusing European countries of being manipulated by Hamas. Israel's Foreign Ministry rejected the sanctions, labeling them as baseless and politically motivated.

The Israeli government maintains that its actions in Gaza are legitimate measures of self-defense.

This development occurs against the backdrop of escalating humanitarian concerns in Gaza, with reports of famine and widespread displacement.

The International Association of Genocide Scholars has characterized Israel's actions in Gaza as meeting the legal definition of genocide, a claim that Israel vehemently denies.