Speaking at a conference at the United Nations in New York on Monday, the Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist) has announced that Belgium has joined a growing number of countries that recognise a Palestinian state. The conference was held to discuss a two-state solution for the conflict in the Middle East.
Mr De Wever stressed that recognition must not be seen as “a reward for Hamas.” Citing the renewed expansion of Israeli colonist settlements on the West Bank, the ongoing military offensive in Gaza, and what he described as an “indescribable humanitarian crisis”, the Belgian Prime Minister said that peace now looks further away than ever.
Although Mr De Wever confirmed that Belgium is sending out a “strong political and diplomatic signal”, he stressed that full legal recognition would only follow once all hostages are released, Hamas is removed from power and elections are held in Palestine. Diplomatic relations, the presence of embassies in each other’s capitals and international agreement between Belgium and Palestine will be dependent on Hamas disarming. Also during his speech, the Belgian Prime Minister called on Arab countries to recognise Israel.
Belgium is among a number of countries such as the UK, Canada, France and Australia that have said that they (conditionally) recognise a Palestinian state.
Also in New York, the Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot (Francophone centrist) described the Federal Government’s decision as both “factual” and “political”.
Belgium is now 1 of the 150 UN member states that recognise Palestine, albeit in some cases conditionally. Meanwhile, Israel and the United States have condemned the string of recognition announcements.