Belgium Signals Move Toward Recognizing Palestine, Sparks Israeli Backlash

Belgium is ready to take a big diplomatic step: recognizing a Palestinian state. Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said Tuesday that the official announcement will likely come at the United Nations General Assembly later this month.

But there’s a catch—or two. Belgium says recognition depends on all Israeli hostages being released and Hamas being removed from political power in Gaza. Given the realities on the ground, that makes immediate recognition unlikely.

Still, the move adds momentum to a growing list of countries in Europe and beyond leaning toward Palestinian statehood. More than 140 nations already recognize Palestine, and France and the UK are expected to join the push later this month.

Prévot also unveiled new measures aimed at ramping up pressure on Israel. Belgium will ban imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank and declare Hamas leaders, violent settlers, and two far-right Israeli ministers—widely understood to include Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich—persona non grata.

“This isn’t about sanctioning the Israeli people,” Prévot said on X, “but about pushing their government to respect international and humanitarian law.”

He added that the EU should suspend trade ties with Israel to increase leverage.

Unsurprisingly, Israel’s far-right leadership erupted. National Security Minister Ben Gvir blasted Belgium, accusing Europe of being “manipulated by Hamas” and warning they’d eventually “discover terrorism on their own flesh.”

The announcement comes as Israel’s war in Gaza continues to fracture European politics, ignite street protests, and strain alliances inside the EU. Despite the anger, Israel still holds deep business, academic, and military ties across Europe.

For Palestinians, the recognition drive is about shoring up momentum for a long-elusive two-state solution—an independent Palestine in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. But Israel’s government has repeatedly rejected the idea, insisting recognition only rewards militants after Hamas’ October 7 attack.

The Associated Press, the Hill, and Reuters contributed to this report.