The Flemish parties CD&V and Vooruit are calling for Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT) to cease advising Belgian companies on investing in Israel, according to reports in Het Nieuwsblad and Gazet van Antwerpen on Monday.
This proposal originated with the opposition party Groen, which demands the closure of FIT’s office in Tel Aviv.
CD&V Chairman Sammy Mahdi strongly agrees. "We support strict economic sanctions against Israel and should therefore refrain from boosting their economy actively," he said.
Vooruit has taken a more nuanced stance, suggesting that while the office need not close, "all promotion of exports or collaboration with Israeli companies should be halted," according to Flemish leader Kris Verduyckt.
The proposal is part of an ongoing debate within the Flemish government regarding potential measures against Israel, with the Flemish Parliament set to meet soon for further discussion on this issue.
