Brussels: Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot announced that Belgium is advancing towards recognizing the State of Palestine in a strategic two-step process. This announcement was made prior to her departure with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever to attend the 80th UN General Assembly session in New York.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Prevot detailed that the initial stage involves a political recognition, which she described as a significant diplomatic gesture amidst the prevailing challenges and Israel's current positions. The subsequent phase will involve the legal formalization of this recognition through a royal decree.
Prevot emphasized the importance of sending a "strong message on the international stage" by taking this symbolic step. Additionally, Belgium plans to implement practical measures, such as imposing sanctions on the Israeli occupation government and providing urgent humanitarian aid. Prevot highlighted that while public debate in Belgium has centered around the recognition of Palestine, the immediate focus must be on addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Sanctions are seen as a key tool to facilitate the broad delivery of aid to Gaza's population.
In her statement, Prevot expressed Belgium's pride in joining other nations in taking definitive steps toward recognizing Palestine, a move not witnessed in decades in Belgium, regardless of the political party in power.