Belgium will back stronger political action in response to the Israeli government's actions and urgent humanitarian support to the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza, announced Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés) on Tuesday.
At the initiative of Prévot, the Federal Government decided to take a firmer political stance; Belgium is ready to give urgent humanitarian action, including setting up a humanitarian air bridge and arranging care for sick or injured children from Gaza.
"I personally believe there is no doubt human rights have been violated, but the government will wait for the Commission's analysis before drawing conclusions. We fully support this first step," said Prévot in a press release.
Israel's war in Gaza was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which saw around 1,200 people killed and 251 taken hostage. Currently, some 58 hostages remain in Gaza – of whom up to 23 are believed to be alive. Meanwhile, more than 53,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel's military campaign, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. Many Hamas fighters have also been killed during the fighting in Gaza.
'Belgium must not stay behind'
Prévot also received the mandate from the Federal Government to join other EU countries in reviewing whether Israel is complying with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement (concerning respect for human rights) on trade relations at Tuesday's EU Foreign Affairs Council. Based on the Commission's findings, a decision may follow on whether to suspend the agreement in full or in part.
Prévot will also propose targeted EU sanctions "against violent settlers, Hamas leaders, and political and military figures on both sides, in response to the shocking violence that has taken place," the press release states.
Additionally, Belgium reaffirms its support for the French-Saudi diplomatic initiative aimed at recognising Palestine and achieving a two-state solution – which is fully aligned with the Belgian resolution recently adopted by the parliamentary majority.
Belgium's Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés). Credit: Belga/Jonas Roosens
"I am glad we have taken these steps to speak with greater clarity on the international stage. Many other EU Member States are moving in the same direction, and Belgium must not stay behind. The horrors on the ground demand more than statements alone," Prévot said.
These decisions were made after a so-called "core cabinet" meeting (the Prime Minister and his five deputy PMs) on Monday evening, which reportedly lasted until after midnight. For Prévot, the decisions "open up new possibilities and help Belgium maintain its credibility as a consistent defender of international – and especially humanitarian – law."
Finally, at Prévot's proposal, Belgium has also joined the joint public statement by the United Kingdom, France and Germany on humanitarian aid to Gaza.
'Not so obvious'
On the sidelines of a consultation with European defence ministers in Brussels on Tuesday, Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken (N-VA) stated that the army is ready to drop humanitarian aid over the Gaza Strip, should it become possible.
"Our A400M [aircraft] is ready. We can do humanitarian drops again to help those people, because the humanitarian situation is really very dire," said Francken. However, he also pointed out that Israel must give permission to use its airspace, "which will not be so obvious, I am afraid."
Last year, the Belgian army already carried out drops of food and medical supplies over the Palestinian territory. This was done from Jordan, as part of an international aid operation agreed with Israel.
