Belgium announces it will recognize the State of Palestine while imposing "strict sanctions" on Israel.

Arabian Sea Newspaper - Special

Arab Sea_AFP: Brussels is preparing to recognize the State of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York this September, and also to impose "strict sanctions" on Tel Aviv due to the tragedy in Gaza and the "acts of violence" practiced by Israel, according to the Belgian Foreign Minister on Tuesday. The Belgian Foreign Minister said on Tuesday that his country will recognize the State of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York this September, confirming Brussels' determination to also impose "strict sanctions" on Israel. In this regard, Maxime Prévot wrote in a post on the X platform: "Belgium will recognize the State of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly meetings! And there are strict sanctions on the Israeli government." The minister also added: "Given the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Palestine, especially in Gaza, and in the face of the acts of violence practiced by Israel in violation of international law, Belgium has been forced to take decisive decisions to increase pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas terrorists." Prévot added in the same post that "Belgium will join the countries that signed the New York Declaration, paving the way towards a two-state solution, and thus recognizing them." At the end of July, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Paris would recognize the State of Palestine during the General Assembly meetings held from September 9 to 23. Since then, more than 12 Western countries have announced that they will follow France's lead. Canada and Australia have previously announced their intention to recognize the State of Palestine, while Britain said it would do so if Tel Aviv did not agree to a ceasefire in Gaza. In contrast, the United States and Israel considered that the decision of these countries to recognize the State of Palestine constitutes a reward for Hamas, which launched an unprecedented attack on the Hebrew state on October 7, 2023.