Belgian Foreign Minister: The European Union is Not Meeting Its Responsibilities Regarding Gaza

SadaNews - Belgian Foreign Minister Maxim Prevot stated in an interview on Friday that the European Union "is not meeting its level of responsibility" regarding the war in Gaza, pointing out that its credibility on foreign policy is "in the process of collapse."

Prevot said, "There is no doubt that the European Union is currently not at the level of its responsibilities in this enormous humanitarian crisis," adding, "It is certain that for public opinion, the credibility of the foreign policy that the EU is pursuing regarding this file in particular is in the process of collapsing."

This refers to the divisions among the 27 member states, which have been unable for months to agree on punishing Israel for the devastating war it has been waging in the Gaza Strip for nearly two years.

The Israeli blockade and the prevention of humanitarian aid from reaching the people of Gaza led the United Nations to declare a state of famine in the sector at the end of August.

In light of this situation, Belgium decided this week to impose a series of unilateral sanctions (economic, consular, and others) on Israel and some ministers in Benjamin Netanyahu's government, and pledged to join countries, including France, that will recognize the State of Palestine on the sidelines of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.

Prevot confirmed on Friday that this is about "sending a strong political and diplomatic message" and "pressuring the Israeli government to respond as quickly as possible to the humanitarian emergency" in Gaza.

He added, "There is a moral obligation, and there is also a legal necessity to act, as countries are parties to agreements and international treaties that require them to take all necessary measures to prevent genocide."

He continued, "We must remain active defenders of international law!"

At the end of July, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Paris would recognize the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly, which will be held from the 9th to the 23rd of this month in New York.

Meanwhile, more than ten Western governments have called on other countries around the world to follow suit.

Belgium will join the countries signing the "New York Declaration." Legally, its recognition of the Palestinian state through a royal decree to be issued later is conditional on two conditions: the release of all hostages held by Hamas and the exclusion of the movement from taking power in any future Palestinian state.