Belgian foreign minister Maxime Prévot (Francophone centrist Les Engagés) presented a memorandum containing 10 concrete measures that Belgium can take against Israel to the inner cabinet this morning. In the memorandum, which VRT NEWS was able to see, he also explicitly advocates rapid recognition of Palestine. ‘Waiting for the “right moment” and for “all conditions to be met” for such recognition is insufficient.’
In the 25-page memorandum, Prévot first reminds his colleagues of our international obligations. Belgium signed the Genocide Convention in the late 1940s. ‘This means that all means at our disposal must be used to prevent genocide,’ the minister emphasises.
Some of the measures in the memorandum have been on the table for some time. These include, for example, an import ban on products and services from settlements in the Occupied Territories and an entry ban for two Israeli ministers. There already seems to be consensus on the latter. Prévot also adds a name to the list: that of defence minister Israel Katz.
Belgians in Occupied Territories
But Prévot wants to go further. The list consists of 10 measures that Belgium can take individually.
Belgium could impose sanctions on settlers and settler organisations, as the UK and Canada are doing. The Belgian government can also take action against Belgians living in illegal settlements. The government could decide no longer to offer consular services to some 800 Belgians and refuse to grant them long-stay visas.
Prévot also proposes that the justice minister instruct the public prosecutor's office to prosecute Belgians in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories who are guilty of serious violations of international humanitarian law and/or terrorist offences.
Prohibiting flights carrying weapons
Part of the memorandum concerns new legislation on the export and transit of weapons to Israel. Prévot advocates tightening the existing rules dating from 2009.
One of the aims is to prevent aircraft carrying weapons to Israel from overflying Belgium. Strict rules are already in place, and Belgium does not supply weapons directly to the Israeli army. However, in practice, this legislation is not always complied with.
For example, ammunition and detonators were flown to Israel via Liège Airport in 2024. And in June, peace organisations filed a complaint about the export of F-35 parts via the same airport. That is currently under investigation. Together with mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Francophone centrist), who is responsible for airspace, a royal decree is now being prepared to ban all flights carrying weapons to Israel.
Belgium could also systematically refuse military and official flights from Israel over Belgium.
Belgium may also decide to end its military reliance on Israel, writes Prévot. In concrete terms, this means severing ties with the Israeli defence sector ‘for military equipment, including purchases of equipment, spare parts and maintenance contracts’. Since the start of the war in Gaza, the Belgian army has purchased a further 100 tonnes of ammunition from an Israeli defence company.
On collision course with PM Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist) on recognition of Palestine
In his memorandum, Prévot strongly urges rapid recognition of Palestine. This is an opposite position to that voiced yesterday by Prime Minister Bart De Wever (N-VA). ‘Recognition is urgently needed today. Waiting for “the right moment” and for “all conditions to be met” for such recognition is insufficient,’ writes Prévot. De Wever – and the Francophone liberals of MR, another of the 5 coalition partners – continue to emphasise that certain conditions must first be met before recognition can take place.
France and the United Kingdom, among others, are planning to recognise Palestine next month. Prévot fears that if we do not follow suit, this will have diplomatic consequences. ‘It will be poorly received and could weaken our diplomatic and economic position.’
Prévot's memo is the basis for discussions being held between key ministers in the 5-way Belgian government. The inner cabinet met on Wednesday. Further talks are planned on Monday.
