The Brussels Parliament has adopted two resolutions concerning the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict after an extended debate illustrating the sensitivity of these topics.
The first resolution calls on the federal government to engage with the European Union to urgently convene the relevant European ministers and ask the European Commission to provide food aid via air-drops on Palestinian territories.
This resolution was unanimously approved, highlighting shared humanitarian goals amid widespread reports of the Gaza food blockade.
Less support for ICC-related proposal
However, a proposed amendment by the liberal Mouvement Réformateur (MR) party that aimed at eliminating air-drops citing risks to civilians, was rejected, after drawing sharp criticism from the left.
“We find the justification for the amendment particularly shameful. Worrying about the safety of Gazans when air-drops are involved, while remaining silent on bombing Gaza, is disgraceful,” said Ecolo group leader Zakia Khattabi, supported by other speakers.
The second resolution, which received less support, requested the federal government to assert Belgium’s commitment to arrest individuals wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). It also calls for targeted sanctions against Israeli officials involved in “serious violations of humanitarian law” and recognises the State of Palestine.
This resolution was passed with 44 votes in favour, 2 against and 34 abstensions.
A host of abstensions
Legislators from the Parti Socialiste (PS), Belgian Workers Party (PTB-PVDA), Ecolo, Groen, Team Ahidar and DéFI voted in favour of the resolution.
Clémentine Barzin (MR) and Benjamin Dalle-Christen Democratish en Vlaams (CD&V) voted against it, while 34 members of MR, Les Engagés, Open Vld, Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (N-VA) and one DéFI legislator abstained.
The proposal’s co-authors (PS, Vooruit, Ecolo, Groen, DéFI, PTB-PVDA, Team Ahidar) justified their action in part by a recent statement from Prime Minister Bart De Wever in the media, asserting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not be arrested should he set foot in Belgium, citing “realpolitik” reasons.
Opponents argue that this type of resolution will have no tangible effect as Brussels Region lacks jurisdiction in this matter. Moreover, enforcing international law is a matter solely for the judiciary, they note.
Belgium must meet its obligations - Les Engagés, N-VA
Clémentine Barzin noted that Brussels legislators have debated Gaza three times in the last three months, even though their competencies lie elsewhere, such as employment, security, health, and sanitation. “Weaponising this Parliament for international conflicts weakens the only institution that can still address the real issues of Brussels’ residents,” she said.
MR also warned of the consequences of integrating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict into local political debates, potentially affecting social cohesion in the capital region.
Les Engagés emphasised, through leader Maxime Prévot, that Belgium will nonetheless adhere to its commitment to the ICC.
Gilles Verstraeten (N-VA) remarked that Bart De Wever’s comments were more about his consistent intellectual honesty as a party president than his role as Prime Minister. Nevertheless, Verstraeten asserted that Belgium must meet its international obligations without a doubt.
He also pointed out that any visit by Benjamin Netanyahu to Belgium was highly “hypothetical,” as Netanyahu had no intention to visit, nor did Belgium intend to invite him.
