Belgium will recognize Palestine as a state at the UN General Assembly in September. Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot announced this along with 12 sanctions against the Israeli government due to the humanitarian crisis in Palestine and violations of international law. These sanctions include import bans on settlement products, reviewing procurement policies with Israeli companies, and restricting consular assistance to those in illegal settlements. Belgium will also support EU measures to suspend cooperation with Israel, aiming to pressure the government to respect international law. The measures are intended to hold the Israeli government accountable for its actions in Gaza, but Prévot stressed they are not directed at the Jewish people.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.