Belgian PM Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist N-VA) chaired a meeting of the inner cabinet of his 5-way coalition government today to prepare a new joint position and response to Israel over the Gaza war. As expected the meeting ended without agreement. A new meeting is planned for Monday. During Wednesday's gathering ministers considered a range of options drawn up by Belgian foreign minister Prévot (Francophone centrist). The Belgian and Flemish governments are currently split over what action to take.
There’s been the threat of a crisis in the Belgian government for a month now after the Flemish Christian democrats and socialists and Francophone centrists all started demanding a stiffer response to Isreal.
Following today's meeting Flemish Christian democrat deputy premier Vincent Van Peteghem said: ‘We must modify Belgium's position. That is necessary. We must take measures and impose sanctions. We have now reviewed those measures. On Monday, we will further examine what is possible.’
Meanwhile Flemish PM Matthias Diependaele (Flemish nationalist N-VA) is convening a meeting of his inner cabinet on Friday to discuss the same issue.
Mr Diependaele has invited key ministers of the Flemish government to a meeting on Friday evening at 7.30 p.m.
Mr Diependaele is convening the meeting after coalition partners Vooruit (socialist) and CD&V (Christian democrat) submitted a resolution on Gaza to the Flemish Parliament. The two parties have been calling for some time now for the Flemish government to take a fresh look at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and to impose stricter measures against Israel.