Belgium to Recognize Palestine at UN, Announces Sanctions on Israel

Belgium will formally recognize the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September, Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot announced Tuesday.

“Palestine will be recognized by Belgium at the UN session! And firm sanctions are being imposed against the Israeli government,” Prevot wrote on X.

The move follows French President Emmanuel Macron’s July declaration that France would extend recognition at the UN meeting, scheduled from September 9–23 in New York. Since then, more than a dozen Western nations have urged others to follow suit.

Prevot said Belgium’s decision was driven by the “humanitarian tragedy” in Gaza, where Israeli offensives have displaced most residents and the UN has declared a famine.

“In the face of the violence perpetrated by Israel in violation of international law… Belgium had to take strong decisions to increase pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas terrorists,” he said.

“This is not about punishing the Israeli people, but about ensuring that their government respects international and humanitarian law and changing the situation on the ground,” he added.