Oslo: Belgium has decided to officially recognize Palestine as a state. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot announced on social media that this formal declaration will be presented at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly meeting later this month.
Alongside this, Belgium is imposing 12 stringent national sanctions against Israel. These measures include banning imports of products originating from illegal Israeli settlements, reviewing government contracts with Israeli companies, and restricting Israeli flights and transit.
The Foreign Minister stated that these actions are a response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, and Israel’s violations of international laws. He emphasized that the sanctions are not aimed at the Israeli people but are intended to pressure the Israeli government to adhere to international legal standards.
Belgium joins France, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada as one of the countries officially recognizing Palestine as a state. The formal announcement is expected to be made during the UN General Assembly session.
