Belgium to recognise Palestine at UN General Assembly
Belgium will recognise Palestine as a state at the UN General Assembly in New York later this month, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported, quoting Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot on Monday.
In a statement on the social media platform X, Prevot said Belgium would join other countries in recognising Palestinian statehood while adopting a package of sanctions against Israel.
Belgium will recognise Palestine as a state at the UN General Assembly in New York later this month, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported, quoting Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot on Monday.
In a statement on the social media platform X, Prevot said Belgium would join other countries in recognising Palestinian statehood while adopting a package of sanctions against Israel.
“Firm sanctions are being imposed on the Israeli government. Any antisemitism or glorification of terrorism by Hamas supporters will also be more strongly condemned,” he wrote.
Prevot stressed that the measures were aimed at upholding international law and not at punishing Israeli citizens.
Belgium’s decision comes as several countries, including France, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, announced similar plans to recognise Palestine during the General Assembly, joining 147 nations that have already done so.
The General Assembly session begins on Sept 9.
In response, Palestine welcomed Belgium’s decision, describing it as a move consistent with international law and UN resolutions.
In a statement on X, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said the step would “protect the two-state solution, and support the achievement of peace.”
It also urged other countries to “quickly initiate this recognition, intensify practical efforts to stop the crimes of genocide, displacement, starvation and annexation, and open a real political path to resolve the conflict and end the Israeli occupation of the lands of the State of Palestine.”
Israel continues to occupy Palestinian territories and rejects a withdrawal that would allow for an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital on the pre-1967 borders.
- Bernama
