Belgium has announced plans to formally recognize the State of Palestine during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled to begin on September 9, 2025.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot confirmed that recognition will be conditional. The decision will move forward once all Israeli hostages are released and Hamas no longer plays any role in governing Palestinian territories.
Alongside recognition, Belgium intends to impose a series of sanctions on Israel, including:
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A ban on imports from Israeli settlements,
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Restrictions on public procurement contracts with Israeli companies, and
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Declaring far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, along with violent settlers and Hamas leaders, as persona non grata.
The Palestinian Authority welcomed Belgium’s move, calling it an important step toward international justice and the two-state solution. Meanwhile, Israel has strongly criticized the decision, warning it could undermine peace efforts.
Belgium joins a growing list of Western nations—including France, the UK, Canada, and Australia—signaling intent to recognize Palestinian statehood amid mounting global pressure over the Gaza conflict.
