The Federal Government has not ruled out imposing sanctions against Israel if the humanitarian situation in Gaza does not improve, Prime Minister Bart De Wever stated on Thursday during a plenary session of Parliament.
The Arizona coalition is split over this issue. Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés) admitted on Wednesday in a committee meeting that he had been unable to convince all his government partners to argue for the suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement at the European level.
Although Prévot did not name anyone, both the MR and the N-VA within the coalition have been regularly hesitant to support this move in recent months.
On Thursday, opposition MPs Staf Aerts (Ecolo-Groen) and Sofie Merckx (PTB) criticised the government and questioned the N-VA Prime Minister.
Prime Minister De Wever responded by stating, "As a government, we are focusing on the humanitarian situation on the ground. We unanimously agree that human suffering must cease as quickly as possible. This is the position we have defended on the European stage since we came to power. We are leading discussions on the agreement," he assured.
He emphasised that "Europe is the only way to send a clear message to improve the humanitarian situation. We will closely monitor calls to maintain pressure. If the situation does not improve, the government could impose sanctions."
This declaration did not convince the two opposition MPs. "You do not rule out sanctions in the future. 65,000 people have already died!" highlighted Staf Aerts. "What a disgrace!" exclaimed Sofie Merckx. "You are all complicit if you do nothing."
