Overview
- Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said Belgium will recognize a Palestinian state at this month’s U.N. gathering if Hamas is removed from power in Gaza and all Israeli hostages are freed.
- Prévot announced 12 measures targeting Israel and Hamas, including a ban on imports from Israeli settlements, entry bans for certain Israeli ministers, violent settlers and Hamas leaders, and a review of public procurement with Israeli firms.
- Belgium will press the European Union to suspend cooperation with Israel, including the Association Agreement, research programs and technical cooperation.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office called Belgian leader Bart De Wever “a weak leader” and accused him of appeasing terrorism, while saying Israel will continue to defend itself.
- The Palestinian Foreign Ministry welcomed Belgium’s move, and Brussels joins France, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia in planning recognition at the U.N.