BURSSELS: Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot told AFP Friday that the EU’s credibility on foreign policy was “collapsing” due to the bloc’s failure to act over Israel’s war in Gaza.
“It is undeniable, we are not going to bury our heads in the sand, that the European Union at this stage is not living up to its responsibilities in this enormous humanitarian crisis,” Prevot said in an interview at his office in Brussels.
TWO-STATE SOLUTION
On Tuesday, Prevot announced that Belgium will recognise the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly later this month.
“Palestine will be recognised by Belgium at the UN session! And firm sanctions will be imposed against the Israeli government,” Prevot, who is also the deputy prime minister, wrote on X.
🇧🇪🇵🇸🚨La Palestine sera reconnue par la Belgique lors de la session de l’ONU ! Et des sanctions fermes sont prises à l’égard du gouvernement israélien. Tout antisémitisme ou glorification du terrorisme par les partisans du Hamas sera aussi plus fortement dénoncé.
🔸Au vu du…
— Maxime PREVOT (@prevotmaxime) September 2, 2025
“Belgium will join the countries that signed the New York Declaration, paving the way for a two-state solution and thus recognising both states,” Prevot added.
He also mentioned that Belgium had to take strong decisions to increase pressure on Israel “in light of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, and in response to the violence perpetrated by Israel in violation of international law”.
It’s a developing story. Details to follow.
In light of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, and in response to the violence perpetrated by Israel in violation of international law, given its international obligations, including the duty to prevent any risk of genocide, Belgium had to take strong decisions to increase pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas terrorists. This is not about sanctioning the Israeli people but about ensuring that their government respects international and humanitarian law and taking action to try to change the situation on the ground.