Christian democrats CD&V are stepping up the pressure on prime minister Bart De Wever over Israel. Like fellow coalition parties Vooruit and Les Engagés, the party wants De Wever to convene the government and act. “I think it is up to the prime minister to set the course, and he is not doing that today,” says federal MP Els Van Hoof.
Foreign News
Pressure grows on prime minister to take action against Israel
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“Doing nothing is a choice we cannot support. We can no longer hide. International law requires us to take action. Even if the UN or the EU does not act, you are complicit through passivity,” Els Van Hoof said on Radio 1. She is the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the federal parliament.
The party has long been frustrated with the government’s position on Gaza and its attitude towards Israel. Vooruit and Les Engagés also consider it far too lax. Francophone liberals MR and prime minister Bart De Wever’s party, the Flemish nationalist N-VA, are against sanctions.
Doing nothing is a choice we cannot support. We can no longer hide
Last week, the government announced that Belgium would vote in favour of a partial suspension of Israel’s participation in the Horizon Europe research programme. On Friday, Foreign minister Maxime Prévot summoned the Israeli ambassador to discuss the country’s plans to occupy Gaza City.
Van Hoof believes Belgium can do much more, even without Europe or other countries. Measures include an entry ban for prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s inner cabinet, and ensuring that products from occupied territories are no longer allowed to enter Belgium.
We can hold the debate, but the decision will have to be taken by the inner cabinet
The possible recognition of Palestine remains a point of contention. The government had previously decided that this could only happen under certain conditions.
CD&V wants De Wever to take the initiative. “I think it is up to the prime minister to set the course, and he is not doing that today,” says Van Hoof. The silence is deafening.”
During the summer recess, De Wever is on a family holiday in South Africa, and almost the entire government is on vacation. Several parties have suggested the possibility of meeting online, but this seems unlikely.
The Foreign Affairs Committee will interrupt the parliamentary summer recess on Thursday to discuss the situation in Gaza.
However, Van Hoof accepts that this will make little difference. “A committee can decide very little,” she said. “We can hold the debate, but the decision will have to be taken by the inner cabinet. We hope to receive a signal for the committee on Thursday.”
