Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés) reiterated his support for increased sanctions against Israel on Monday morning.
Speaking on VRT's De Ochtend programme, Prévot again called for sanctions on Israel following a pro-Palestine demonstration in Brussels on Sunday, which drew between 75,000 and 110,000 attendees. The organisers called for economic sanctions and an arms embargo against Israel.
Prévot noted that Belgium is already taking significant action, including an existing arms embargo, but agreed that more sanctions were necessary.
However, he added that "Honestly: little Belgium will not be able to make Israel bend. That has to happen at the European level."
Hold-ups within government
He acknowledged that Belgium could do more, pointing out that it maintains trade relations with Israeli defence companies despite the arms embargo. Prévot highlighted differing views within the Federal Government, stating his personal call for more sanctions.
The government is also calling for sanctions against violent settlers, Hamas leaders, and two far-right ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir.
"Few foreign ministers have made such strong statements about genocide," said Prévot. "We have given clear signals. But I understand that it is frustrating."
He said he would continue to push for more concrete actions within government, signalling that the policies of N-VA and MR were creating obstacles.
"From a human point of view it is difficult, because my personal feeling is clear around Gaza," he said. "But we have to fight within the government to make sure that we remain on the front lines of the countries that continue to ask for sanctions."
'This is not leadership'
Between 75,000 and 110,000 people attended a protest for Gaza in Brussels on Sunday. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
The non-profit organisation 11.11.11 has expressed disappointment with Prévot's statements.
"110,000 people demanded action against genocide yesterday," 11.11.11 director Els Hertogen wrote on social media. "Minister Prévot's response? No recognition for the red wave. No action. Only: we are already doing a lot. It is difficult within the government."
"Is this the government's position? This is not leadership. This is passing the buck. If genocide and 110,000 people on the streets are not enough to get Belgian politics moving, what is?"
