Flemish government parties CD&V and Vooruit have taken the unusual step of submitting a resolution to the Flemish Parliament without the participation of the third coalition party, the Flemish nationalist N-VA. The resolution asks the Flemish government to take measures against Israel in connection with the war in the Gaza Strip. ‘We are still in favour of resolving this within the government, but we have not seen any initiative since last week's meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee,’ explains Flemish socialist floor leader Kris Verduyckt (Vooruit).
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Christian democrats and socialists pile pressure on Flemish government over Gaza
Colin Clapson
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‘The next committee meeting is on 2 September. There will be votes on resolutions from the opposition. We are adding our resolution. If it comes to a vote, we will vote in favour of our resolution.’
It is unusual that two government parties put an issue to the government of which they themselves form part via a resolution. The other Flemish government party, the N-VA, has shown little enthusiasm for stricter measures against Israel. Last week, Flemish PM Matthias Diependaele (N-VA) did not respond to questions from Vooruit and CD&V seeking a more forthright stand. ‘We don't want to go to the next committee empty-handed,’ clarifies Verduyckt.
In the resolution, Flemish Christian democrat CD&V and Flemish socialist Vooruit ask the Flemish government to press for a suspension of the trade agreement between the EU and Israel at the European level and for Israel's exclusion from the EU's Horizon research programme. Both parties believe that the federal government should insist on recognising Palestine. At the Flemish level, they want the closure of the Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT) office in Tel Aviv (Israel) and a tightening of the arms embargo against the country.
‘Counting on a quick response from the Flemish cabinet’
According to Christian democrat floor leader Peter Van Rompuy, Vooruit and his own party did submit the text of the resolution on Gaza to coalition partner N-VA. ‘But the nationalists said they prefer to make their position known in the government.’
Van Rompuy now hopes for action from the Flemish government. ‘Our ministers will defend the same positions contained in the resolution also in cabinet. We are counting on the Flemish government to meet as soon as possible and take action.’
‘N-VA is not preventing progress’
The N-VA is not enthusiastic about the resolution on Gaza proposed by coalition partners CD&V and Vooruit. ‘For us, it's quite clear,’ says Flemish lawmaker Philippe Muyters (N-VA). ‘It is up to the government to take the necessary measures. I don't think that submitting a resolution to parliament will contribute anything to that process, on the contrary.’
Muyters does not consider a resolution to be the right instrument. ‘I am sure that Flemish PM Matthias Diependaele will take the necessary steps.’ He also denies that the N-VA is obstructing progress: ‘It is not the case that we are standing on the brakes.’