Belgium to Recognize Palestine, Announce Sanctions Against Israel
Brussels, Belgium – September 2, 2025 – Belgium will formally recognize the State of Palestine during this month’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot announced Tuesday. Alongside the recognition, Belgium will impose 12 sanctions on Israel, targeting settlement products and reviewing public procurement policies involving Israeli companies.
Prevot, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, stated on X (formerly Twitter), “Palestine will be recognised by Belgium at the UN session! And firm sanctions will be imposed against the Israeli government.” The decision, he added, is a direct response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine, particularly in Gaza.
The sanctions will include a ban on imports from Israeli settlements and a comprehensive review of Belgian public procurement policies concerning Israeli companies.
Belgium’s move follows a similar announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron in July, stating France would recognize Palestine at the UNGA, scheduled to take place from September 9 to 23 in New York. Several other nations have indicated their intention to follow suit,some with conditions attached.
As of april 2025, 147 countries – representing 75 percent of UN member states - have already recognized Palestinian statehood.
The announcement comes amid Israel’s ongoing military operation in Gaza, which has resulted in at least 63,459 deaths and 160,256 injuries, according to recent reports.
Further demonstrating its stance, Belgian prosecutors referred a war crimes complaint against two Israeli soldiers to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in July, following allegations of atrocities committed in Gaza.
