Belgium to recognise Palestine state at UNGA, impose sanctions on Israel: FM Prevot

Belgium will formally recognise the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly later this month, Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot announced on Tuesday (Sept 2).

“Palestine will be recognised by Belgium at the UN session! And firm sanctions will be imposed against the Israeli government,” Prevot wrote on the X platform early Tuesday.

He said the move was driven “in view of the humanitarian tragedy” unfolding in Gaza, where Israeli offensives have displaced most of the population at least once and the UN has already declared a famine.

“In the face of 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,” Prevot wrote.

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“This is not about punishing the Israeli people, but rather about ensuring that its government respects international and humanitarian law and taking action to try to change the situation on the ground,” he added.

Belgium’s decision follows that of France, after President Emmanuel Macron confirmed in July that Paris would also back recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN meeting, scheduled from September 9 to 23 in New York.

This is a developing story.