Belgium to recognise Palestinian State at UN General Assembly, with conditions attached

Belgium has announced it will recognise a Palestinian state at this month’s United Nations General Assembly, joining a growing number of countries seeking to pressure Israel over its war in Gaza. The decision was made public by Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, who stressed that formal recognition will depend on conditions aimed at balancing domestic political sensitivities and international expectations.

 

 While the announcement will be made in New York, Belgium will not issue a royal decree to formalise recognition until two conditions are met: the release of all Israeli hostages held in Gaza and the exclusion of Hamas from any role in Palestinian governance. Prevot said he recognised the trauma caused to Israelis by the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023 and insisted that formal recognition could only follow once these conditions were satisfied. He explained that while the idea of recognising a state should in principle be unconditional, the Belgian coalition required a conditional approach to accommodate differing views.

 

A government official clarified that no embassy would be opened nor other diplomatic steps taken until Hamas is disarmed and removed from Palestinian political structures.

 

 Alongside recognition, Belgium announced a package of twelve sanctions against Israel intended to pressure its government to respect international law. These include a ban on imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a review of public procurement involving Israeli firms, and restrictions on consular assistance to Belgians living in settlements deemed illegal. Judicial proceedings could be launched against individuals accused of atrocities in Gaza and Belgian airspace will be closed to military or dual-use goods destined for Israel as long as the war continues.

 

Belgium will also impose entry bans. Two Israeli ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, along with several violent settlers and Hamas leaders, will be declared persona non grata and listed in the Schengen Information System. Prevot emphasised that these measures were not directed at Israeli citizens but at ensuring the government complies with humanitarian standards. He added that Belgium would push the European Union to suspend cooperation with Israel, including trade and research agreements, although full consensus among member states has so far proved elusive.

 

 The Belgian decision follows similar announcements by the United Kingdom, France, Canada and Australia. Ireland, Spain and Norway formally recognised Palestine last year. At present, 147 of the 193 UN member states recognise Palestinian statehood. France and Saudi Arabia are expected to co-host a meeting on recognition during the General Assembly, which runs from 9 to 23 September. Belgium has also pledged support for the New York Declaration, which sets out a phased plan for an independent demilitarised Palestine and condemns Hamas for the October 7 attacks.

 

The decision drew sharp criticism in Israel. The foreign ministry argued that recognition rewards Hamas. National Security Minister Ben Gvir accused European states of being manipulated by terrorists and warned that they would suffer consequences of their own. Finance Minister Smotrich had earlier threatened to expand settlements in retaliation for any new recognitions. Opposition leader Avigdor Lieberman described Belgium’s step as evidence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s failure to protect Israel diplomatically.

 

The United States also condemned the move. Secretary of State Marco Rubio labelled France’s initiative “reckless” and claimed it only played into Hamas’s propaganda. Washington has taken further measures, including cancelling visas for 81 Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organisation delegates who had planned to attend the UN meeting.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed Belgium’s announcement, calling it consistent with international law and UN resolutions. Palestinian officials urged other countries to follow Belgium’s lead in order to increase pressure on Israel and defend the two-state solution.

 

 The announcement comes against the backdrop of a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. According to the Hamas-run health ministry more than 63,000 Palestinians have been killed, including about 18,000 children. Food security experts report famine conditions in northern Gaza with malnutrition deaths rising and the risk of starvation spreading. Prevot described the situation as catastrophic and condemned the blocking of aid deliveries as a war crime. Israel disputes claims that famine has taken hold.

 

 Belgium’s move highlights a growing split within the international community over how to address the conflict. While some countries offer Palestine recognition in order to salvage the two-state solution, others like the US feel it promotes extremism and hurts Israel’s security. Belgium has sought to chart a middle path by tying recognition to the release of hostages and the exclusion of Hamas. However, the decision to impose sanctions on Israel shows that Brussels is ready to act tough if needed.

Middle East