Overview

• Foreign minister Maxime Prévot said Belgium will issue recognition during the UN session in September, joining a France-led push that includes Canada.
• Formalization is conditioned on the last hostage’s release and on Hamas having no role in governing Palestine.
• Belgium announced 12 measures targeting Israeli policies, including a ban on settlement goods, potential legal actions, transit and overflight restrictions, and persona non grata listings for two Israeli ministers, several violent settlers, and Hamas leaders.
• Prévot framed the decision as a response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to violations of international law, citing Belgium’s duty to help prevent any risk of genocide.
• The move faced resistance within the governing coalition, with N-VA and MR figures described as reluctant, and Belgium aligning with the New York Declaration that outlines a route to a two-state solution.