Belgium Plans Palestine Recognition, Sanctions on Israel at UNGA

Belgium will formally recognize the State of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly in September, a move announced by Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot as a response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and alleged Israeli violations of international law. Alongside the recognition, Belgium will impose a series of 12 national-level sanctions on Israel, including bans on imports from Israeli settlements, restrictions on government contracts with Israeli companies, limits on consular assistance to Belgians in settlements, and entry bans on certain Israeli ministers, settlers, and Hamas leaders. The recognition and sanctions aim to increase pressure on both the Israeli government and Hamas while supporting a two-state solution. Belgium's formal recognition will be finalized once all hostages taken by Hamas are released and Hamas no longer holds authority in Palestinian governance. This decision aligns with similar announcements from France, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other Western countries, with France having declared its recognition earlier in July. Prévot emphasized that the measures target governments and entities responsible for violence and that Belgium opposes antisemitism and will introduce initiatives to counter extremism domestically.