Belgium Set To Recognize Palestinian State For UN Assembly, Plan Sanctions Against Israel

Belgium don set to formally recognize a Palestinian state at this month United Nations General Assembly, na Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot announce am on Tuesday. This decision put Belgium alongside Australia, Britain, Canada, and France, all of dem don do similar move lately and e dey intensify global pressure on Israel over the war for Gaza. Prevot confirm say Belgium go sign the New York Declaration, na diplomatic initiative wey France and Saudi Arabia dey lead, wey dey support two‑state solution wey go see Palestinian state dey coexist peacefully with Israel. Prevot post say, “Because of the humanitarian tragedy wey dey happen for Palestine, especially for Gaza, and because of the violence wey Israel dey do wey violate international law, Belgium don choose to act.” Beyond recognition, Belgium plan to impose 12 “firm” sanctions on Israel. These ones include ban on importing goods from Israeli settlements, tighter checking of public procurement with Israeli companies, and the declaration of Hamas leaders as persona non grata for Belgium. Prevot emphasize say the measures dey aim to pressure Israel over settlement expansion and military actions, and to hold Hamas accountable for violence.

The move come after EU foreign ministers meet for Copenhagen on Saturday, where dem still divide sharply on how to respond to the conflict. Some ministers dey call for strong economic actions against Israel, while others oppose sanctions entirely. Prevot talk say Belgium go also push for Europe to target Hamas and support new Belgian initiatives to fight antisemitism and help reconstruct Palestine. The recognition of Palestinian statehood don vex Israel and draw criticism from some of her allies. US President Donald Trump earlier condemn Canada’s support for Palestinian recognition, while Republican Senator Marco Rubio call France’s decision “reckless.” The White House never respond to Belgium’s announcement yet. The US still dey insist say Palestinian statehood suppose only come through direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians. Last Friday, dem announce say dey will bar Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas from attending September’s UN summit, where some allies dey expected to formalize recognition of Palestine. Palestinians dey seek independent state for Israeli‑occupied West Bank and Gaza, with East Jerusalem as capital. In 2024, International Court of Justice rule say Israel’s occupation and settlement expansion illegal and must end “as soon as possible.” Israel dispute this and insist say the territories no be “occupied” but “disputed.” Even though Israel annex East Jerusalem and Golan Heights decades ago, nobody recognized those moves internationally. Israel launch military attack on Gaza in October 2023 after Hamas fighters attack southern Israel, kill around 1,200 people and kidnap over 250 hostages. The war don spark humanitarian crisis for Gaza, and governments and human rights groups worldwide dey criticize am. Belgium’s decision add another layer of diplomatic pressure on Israel, show say frustration with the status quo dey deepen across Europe and beyond.