British News Agency

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said in a post on the social media platform X that Belgium plans to recognize the independence of the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September.

Prevot stated: “Belgium will recognize Palestine at the UN! In addition, strong economic sanctions will be imposed on the Israeli government. Supporters of Hamas and any glorification of antisemitism or terrorism will also be condemned more harshly.”

Belgium joins the group of Western countries planning to recognize Palestine at the General Assembly. France, Australia and Malta have announced that they will recognize Palestine when the Assembly convenes. The UK and Canada also declared that they will recognize Palestine, but added certain conditions that must be met.

Prevot emphasized: “Given the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine, especially in Gaza, Israel’s acts of violence in violation of international law, and Belgium’s international obligations to reduce the risk of genocide, Belgium must take radical measures to put pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas terrorists.”

“This is not about punishing the Israeli people, but about ensuring that the government respects international law and human rights and acts in a way that changes the situation on the ground,” he wrote.

The UN General Assembly will convene on September 9 in New York.