Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele (N-VA) has criticised a unilateral resolution from coalition parties CD&V and Vooruit targeting Israel, calling it “reckless” during an interview on De Ochtend on Radio 1.
Diependaele confirmed that the top members of the Flemish government would reconvene at 14:00 on Sunday to resolve ongoing tensions. “The goal is to truly come to an agreement today,” he stated.
The Flemish government had already met on Friday evening to discuss the conflict in Gaza but failed to reach consensus. Similar to divisions at the federal level, the regional government remains split over issues including the war in Gaza, the recognition of Palestine, and potential sanctions against Israel. Another meeting is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
“We’ve been wrestling with Gaza for a long time now,” Diependaele admitted. He stressed the urgency of reaching an agreement, warning against letting the current resolution from CD&V and Vooruit be put to a vote. “That would send a message of division,” he said.
According to Diependaele, the aim is to “send a clear signal to Israel.” However, he warned that tabling a resolution that isn’t agreed upon by the coalition could backfire. “If it isn’t approved, it sends the opposite signal, which would be deeply regrettable. We must avoid that at all costs.”
Diependaele also stood by his controversial earlier statement that he couldn’t determine “who the bigger scoundrel is: Hamas or Israel.” This comment had been criticised by CD&V leader Sammy Mahdi, who called it shameful.
“I stand by what I said,” Diependaele reiterated. “I’ve received hate mail from both sides, but my position is clear: I stand with the innocent victims who are dying from violence and hunger.”
