Success was achieved through pressure.
In a significant move, Belgium has officially announced its call for the recognition of Palestine, a decision that is likely to have implications for the EU's stance towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This shift in policy comes at a time when public opinion in Belgium, and indeed across many EU countries, has turned against Netanyahu and his right-wing ministers, due in part to the Netanyahu government's refusal to work towards a two-state solution.
Foreign Minister Maxime PrΓ©vot's announcements are unlikely to resolve the dispute, but they do send a strong signal to the entire EU, which has its seat in the Belgian capital. The EU Parliament has already demanded sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers, but it remains unclear whether Germany, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, will follow suit.
Merz currently opposes the recognition of a Palestinian state, arguing that the conditions for state recognition are not met. He has stated that Germany will not follow countries like Canada or France in recognizing Palestine at the UN. However, the recent violent events in Gaza may be pushing Merz to reconsider Germany's stance, potentially leading to a change in Middle East policy.
The development of Belgium's stance towards Israel is not surprising, given the persistent Israeli war crimes in Gaza. Calls for sanctions against Israel have been growing louder, particularly in student towns like Ghent and the Brussels European quarter. Prime Minister Bart De Wever had to act to avoid the fall of his coalition, with the Social Democrats exerting massive pressure on him.
Despite Merz's opposition to the recognition of Palestine, the focus is now on Germany to potentially make a change. Europeans have little choice if they want to remain true to their principles regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The announcement by Belgium may encourage something to move in Berlin regarding Middle East policy.
It is worth noting that Belgium is not a pioneer but a follower in the Palestinian question. The decisions announced by Belgium put Chancellor Merz and his government on the defensive, as more EU countries drift away from Israel due to its actions. The announcement by Belgium may not bother Netanyahu, given his government's hardline stance, but it does signal a growing trend among EU countries to call for the recognition of Palestine.
The sanctions announced by Belgium are unlikely to have a significant impact on Netanyahu, but the call for the recognition of Palestine marks a significant shift in the EU's approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. De Wever tried to coordinate with Merz, who stands for unconditional solidarity with Israel, but the tide seems to be turning in favour of a more balanced approach. Only time will tell how this development will unfold, but it is clear that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is no longer a matter that can be ignored by the international community.
