The Belgian Prime Minister's party, N-VA, supports French President Emmanuel Macron’s plan for a two-state solution with mutual recognition of Israel and Palestine, subject to conditions.
It was confirmed on Wednesday by the party’s leader, Valerie Van Peel, on Radio 1 (VRT)’s show De Ochtend on Wednesday. She rejects any suggestion of a shift in the N-VA’s stance.
Calls for the recognition of Palestine as a state are growing both among the opposition and the governing coalition, especially after Macron announced a plan for mutual recognition by June.
While Bart De Wever has been relatively quiet on the issue, he has discussed the plan with the French president and will deliberate on Belgium’s position with the federal government. "There is no consensus yet," the Prime Minister mentioned on Tuesday evening.
Valerie Van Peel emphasised that this does not represent a policy change by the Prime Minister.
"If you think Bart is unmoved by images of starving children due to blocked food supplies, then you do not know him. His sensitivity is innate," she said. "Our party has always recognised the complexity of this issue and knows it cannot be resolved with mere strong statements."
Valerie Van Peel poses during a photoshoot, she is candidate to become the new President of the N-VA, Tuesday 01 April 2025 in Brussels. Credit: Belga
She expressed optimism that figures like Emmanuel Macron are advocating for measures at the European level.
While the specifics of the June proposal are unclear, it’s evident that a two-state solution with conditions—such as the dismantling of Hamas and the release of hostages—is being considered. Success, however, requires support from the Arab world and unified European pressure. "We should strive to endorse this collectively," urged Van Peel.
Van Peel also advised against importing the Israeli conflict into Belgium. "That is really unnecessary. We are all on the side of humanity," she stated. N-VA wants an end to the violence, accountability from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and a halt to illegal settlements.
"But this can only be achieved with an EU-backed plan, not unilateral declarations," she concluded.
Meanwhile, the opposition party Ecolo launched a petition on Wednesday calling for a European humanitarian fleet for Gaza and the recall of Belgium’s ambassador to Israel.
