Belgium to Recognize Palestinian State

Belgium will formally recognise the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly later in September, but under specific conditions, Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot announced early on Tuesday.

In a statement shared on social media platform X, Prévot confirmed that Belgium’s recognition would be accompanied by a series of strict measures targeting the Israeli government, as well as actions against antisemitism and the glorification of terrorism by Hamas supporters.

The minister cited the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, Israel’s use of violence in violation of international law, and its alleged failure to prevent the risk of genocide as the key reasons for the decision.

Prévot stressed that the move was not intended to punish the Israeli people but to pressure their government to comply with international and humanitarian law. He explained that formal recognition through a royal decree would only take place once the last hostage is released and Hamas holds no control over Palestinian governance.

Belgium is also set to implement 12 domestic sanctions against Israel. These include banning imports of products from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, reviewing public procurement policies with Israeli companies, restricting consular assistance for Belgian citizens living in illegal settlements, possible legal prosecutions, flight and transit bans, and designating two far-right Israeli ministers, several violent settlers, and Hamas leaders as persona non grata.

At the European level, Prévot confirmed Belgium will vote in favour of suspending cooperation with Israel, which would require a qualified majority. This could include freezing the EU-Israel partnership agreement, halting joint research and technical projects, and further restrictive measures.

The announcement follows similar moves by countries including France and Canada, which have also pledged to recognise Palestine during the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York beginning on 9 September. Israel and its main ally, the United States, strongly oppose these steps.

Nearly 150 UN member states currently recognise the State of Palestine, but several major Western powers, including veto-holding members of the UN Security Council such as the United States and the United Kingdom, remain outside this consensus.