Belgium has announced plans to formally recognise the State of Palestine during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The decision, revealed on Tuesday, September 2, by Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prevot, comes in response to Israel’s renewed attempt to relaunch the controversial E1 settlement project in occupied East Jerusalema move critics say undermines the prospect of a two-state solution.
Prevot, who also serves as Belgium’s deputy prime minister, made the declaration in a post on X.
He stated: “Palestine will be recognised by Belgium at the UN session! And firm sanctions will be imposed against the Israeli government.”
The minister condemned Israel’s handling of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stressing that cutting off humanitarian aid amounts to a war crime.
“We’ve seen the horrible situation on the ground, with people starving, and it’s totally unacceptable,” he added.
Belgium’s announcement comes just weeks after French President Emmanuel Macron declared that France would recognise Palestine.
In July, Macron said the move reflected France’s longstanding commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
Currently, at least 142 of the 193 UN member states recognise or have pledged to recognise Palestine.
More countries are signaling intentions to follow suit as the war in Gaza continues, with civilian casualties mounting from Israeli strikes.
Belgium’s recognition, however, will not take immediate effect.
Prevot clarified that the move will only be formalised once the last Israeli captives held in Gaza are released and Hamas no longer plays a role in Palestine’s governance.
Israel and US push back
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Israel and the United States.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio labelled Belgium’s plan a “reckless decision” and warned that Washington would revoke visas for Palestinian officials ahead of the UNGA session in New York.
Israel, for its part, continues to defend its actions while facing mounting accusations of war crimes. According to recent figures, Israeli strikes have killed more than 59,500 Palestinians.
Severe restrictions on humanitarian aid deliveries have also worsened Gaza’s hunger crisis, forcing families into extreme deprivation.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry welcomed Belgium’s announcement, describing it as an important step toward justice and recognition of Palestinian rights.
It urged other nations to follow Belgium’s lead and intensify efforts to stop what it called “crimes of genocide, displacement, starvation, and annexation.”
France and Saudi Arabia are set to co-host a high-level meeting on Palestinian recognition during the UNGA on September 22, a move expected to further increase international pressure on Israel.
Prevot acknowledged the political complexities within Belgium’s coalition government, made up of five parties with differing views.
“From an intellectual point of view, the recognition of a state should be with no conditions.
But we also have to manage the different sensitivities within the Belgian coalition,” he said.
With global attention fixed on the UNGA later this month, Belgium’s move signals growing frustration in Europe over Israel’s policies and rising urgency to resolve one of the world’s most protracted conflicts.
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