Belgium Urges Europe to Impose Sanctions on Israel

Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has called for coordinated action within the European Union to impose trade sanctions on Israel, particularly targeting products originating from Israeli settlements.

Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Prime Minister De Croo stated, "Can we simply continue with Israel as a trading partner? I don't think so," according Israeli news site "i24NEWS."

De Croo emphasized the significant loss of life, including many children, during the war in Gaza, affirming that the European Union cannot passively stand by.

Expressing concerns about the possibility of regional escalation, De Croo revealed ongoing discussions with other European leaders, stating, "We have been working with other European countries for weeks."

He called on the EU's Foreign Policy Coordinator, Josep Borrell, to investigate whether Israel had violated its partnership agreement with the European Union.

Some view De Croo's statements as primarily targeting the domestic audience, especially in the lead-up to the upcoming elections.

Deputy Prime Minister Petra De Sutter echoed De Croo's concerns, stating, "We are working on imposing more sanctions."

Belgium's stance towards Israel has increasingly become critical, with previous calls for action against extremist settlers and condemnations of Israeli actions in Gaza.

Tensions have escalated further due to an Israeli airstrike on Rafah, resulting in the death of a local relief worker and his son, both of whom were involved in Belgian development aid efforts in Gaza. This incident has intensified Belgian scrutiny of Israeli actions.