Belgian Foreign Minister: EU credibility on the line over Gaza

The “credibility of EU foreign policy is collapsing” over member states’ inability to sanction Israel for “war crimes” in Gaza and unabated settlement activity in the West Bank, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot told the Europe Conversation. 

He said European countries such as Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic, which are blocking the EU from taking any action against Israel over Gaza, are obliged to uphold international law.

“I think that all the European countries have to do more. Of course, Germany is an important actor, but there are other European countries that also should take initiative,” he said. Germany recently suspended arms exports to Israel but remains the Jewish state’s staunchest supporter within the bloc.

“For instance, we are 26, which agree with specific sanctions against violent settlers and some leaders of the Hamas.” 

“Only one country is blocking. And it is Hungary.” 

Strong public opinion against the war was a key factor in the five-party Belgian coalition to recognise Palestine.  

Over 54% of Belgians said their government should take action such as imposing economic sanctions against Israel, to put an end to the "illegal Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories", according to a survey conducted by CNCD-11.11.11, a coalition of NGOs. 

“For many of our citizens, it's quite difficult to understand why, especially regarding the situation in Gaza, it is impossible for the EU to take strong decisions.” 

“They don't understand why we are not capable to take specific sanctions, seeing the different images we are looking when we open the television,” he said. 

The move to recognise Palestine comes after lengthy and intense coalition negotiations. In the end, formal recognition by Belgium will only happen on the condition that Hamas disarms and releases all hostages taken on 7 October 2023. 

Belgium’s commitment to recognising Palestine is in line with the view of several European countries, including France and the UK, which are set to do so at the UN General Assembly in New York later this month. 

In response to Belgium's announcement on the issue last month, the Israeli government accused Belgian Premier Bart de Wever of being a “weak leader who seeks to appease Islamic terrorism”. 

“I didn't expect applause coming from the Israeli government, of course, but I can underline and convince you that my prime minister is certainly not a weak leader, that's someone with strong commitments within the coalition,” Prévot told Euronews. 

But, he said, the dire situation on the ground is such that the government was compelled to act. 

“The context on the ground - especially in Gaza - children, women, all the people, and many citizens are starving. It's completely unacceptable. And I remind the Israeli government that cutting off any humanitarian aid is a war crime,” he said. 

He added that Israel’s announcements that it plans the total occupation of Gaza City and settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories were a determining factor in the Belgian decision to recognise the state of Palestine, which he hoped would send “a strong political signal” to Israel and the world.