Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot (Francophone centrist/Les Engagés) says he is prepared to block political dossiers on the cabinet table if the federal government does not take a tougher stance on Israel. Daily De Standaard was first to report the news that the minister's office has meanwhile confirmed. The threat is mainly directed at coalition partner MR, the Francophone liberals, says VRT News political editor Ivan De Vadder. On Wednesday, the federal government’s inner cabinet will meet to adopt a new joint position on the war in Gaza.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot is not ruling out blocking government dossiers if the MR and the Flemish nationalists of N-VA continue to prevent him from taking a tougher stance on Israel and recognising the state of Palestine.
‘If there is no tougher stance within the government on human rights violations by the Israeli government, or if no steps are taken towards recognising Palestine, there is a risk of a major crisis,’ he said in an interview with daily De Standaard.
Les Engagés, Flemish Christian democrat CD&V and Flemish socialist Vooruit want to take a tougher stance on Israel and recognise the state of Palestine. The N-VA and, in particular, the MR are digging in their heels. ‘For me and my party, Gaza is indeed a crucial issue,’ says Minister Prévot.
Threat mainly directed at MR
Maxime Prévot's threat is mainly directed at the Francophone liberals of MR, says political editor Ivan De Vadder. ‘Prévot literally says that he is prepared to block government measures. Which measures? Measures that the MR would like to see implemented. So you sense that it is mainly on the French-speaking side of politics that things are reaching a boiling point.’
In his interview with De Standaard, Mr Prévot also leaves little doubt about what exactly is bothering him. ‘We absolutely must find a solution within the government. It is unacceptable that the attitude of one person should jeopardise the reputation of the entire country,’ he says in reference to MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez.
Inner federal cabinet to meet on Wednesday
On Wednesday, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever (N-VA) and his deputy prime ministers will meet. Mr Prévot will present a memo with ‘concrete proposals.’ In addition to the recognition of Palestine, these include an entry ban for Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, a ban on products from occupied territories, and a ban on the overflight and transit of weapons to Israel.
‘I cannot imagine Belgium soon belonging to the small club of countries that do not recognise Palestine,’ says Mr Prévot. ‘If we miss that boat, it will be disastrous for Belgium's international image.’