Belgium Pledges Recognition of Palestinian State Amid Growing Western Pressure on Israel

Belgium has become the latest Western nation to pledge recognition of a Palestinian state, joining a wave of countries including France, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom seeking to pressure Israel diplomatically amid its ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot announced on Tuesday that his government will formally recognize Palestine during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session in New York, scheduled for September 9–23. Calling it a “strong political and diplomatic gesture,” Prevot said the move is meant to preserve what he described as the waning prospects of a two-state solution.

“In light of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Palestine, and especially in Gaza… Belgium had to take strong decisions to increase pressure on both the Israeli government and the terrorists of Hamas,” Prevot posted on X.

In tandem with the recognition pledge, Belgium will enact 12 punitive measures against Israel, including a ban on imports from Judea and Samaria, a review of public procurement contracts with Israeli companies, and a move to label senior Hamas officials as persona non grata.

Yet, unlike several other Western states pushing for Palestinian recognition, Belgium is attaching conditions: its recognition will be contingent on the full release of Israeli hostages and the removal of Hamas from power in Gaza.

Prevot also clarified that these actions are not aimed at the Israeli public. “This is not about sanctioning the Israeli people,” he said, “but about ensuring respect for international and humanitarian law by its government.”

Simultaneously, Belgium has pledged to strengthen its partnership with Jewish communities to combat antisemitism a move critics say reflects the government’s awareness of potential backlash at home and abroad.

The announcement comes amid intensifying division within the European Union over policy toward Israel. At a recent foreign ministers’ summit in Copenhagen, member states such as Ireland, Spain, Sweden, and the Netherlands called for suspension of the EU-Israel free trade agreement. However, Germany, Hungary, and the Czech Republic strongly opposed such action.

“We are divided about this issue,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas admitted. “If you don’t have a unified voice… on this topic, we don’t have a voice on the global scene. So that’s definitely very problematic.”

The stakes are high: the EU remains Israel’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade totaling nearly €43 billion ($49.9 billion) in 2024. Moves to restrict that relationship could carry profound economic and political implications.

As Israel defends its citizens against terror and navigates international headwinds, the nation stands firm in its principles, security, and identity. Share this story or subscribe to our newsletter for updates on Israel’s global standing and diplomatic challenges.