Overview

• Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said Belgium will move to recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September once the last hostage is freed and Hamas is excluded from governance.
• Brussels unveiled a 12‑point sanctions package targeting the Israeli government, including a ban on imports from settlements, potential legal actions, transit and overflight restrictions, and persona non grata listings for two far‑right Israeli ministers, several violent settlers and Hamas leaders.
• Belgium framed the step within the New York Declaration roadmap, joining a France‑led push that has drawn support or pledges from countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia ahead of the September 9–23 UN session.
• The United States has refused visas to roughly 80 Palestinian officials, including Mahmoud Abbas, for UNGA, a decision condemned by President Emmanuel Macron, who urged a reversal and reiterated France’s plan to formalize recognition.
• Israeli leaders denounced the drive, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever “weak” and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accusing Macron of undermining regional stability.