Two of Belgium’s five governing parties on Wednesday called for parliament and the council of ministers to convene and discuss the situation in Gaza. “We hope that humanity will prevail over political boundaries,” said Vooruit party leader Conner Rousseau.
Countries including France and the United Kingdom are taking a definitive stance on the violence in Gaza, while the CD&V and Vooruit parties urge MPs and ministers to suspend their summer recess for discussions on the matter. The opposition parties Groen and Ecolo previously called for the foreign affairs committee of parliament to convene, which both the CD&V and Vooruit support, seeking to escalate the issue further by convening the council of ministers as well.
Decisive action
“The committee will limit itself to a hearing and therefore does not have sufficient power,” stated Nawal Farih, leader of the Christian democratic CD&V party. “It is important to us that the government considers this issue and takes decisive action.”
We also want both parliament and the council of ministers to meet in August
The council of ministers, consisting of federal government ministers, determines government policy typically by majority vote. Last week, Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot announced that Belgium would delay any decision regarding recognition of Palestine until early September.
This delay has raised concerns among some government parties, including the socialist Vooruit. “We also want both parliament and the council of ministers to meet in August,” Rousseau emphasized.
Stronger signal
Rousseau argued that this action is necessary “to send a stronger signal and take tougher action against the genocide taking place in Gaza.” He reiterated, “We hope that humanity will prevail over political boundaries.”
Any debate that seeks solutions to end this terrible situation is worthwhile
The Flemish nationalist N-VA, the party of Prime Minister Bart De Wever, has expressed support for a parliamentary committee meeting. “Any debate that seeks solutions to end this terrible situation is worthwhile,” stated the party’s parliamentary group leader, Axel Ronse.
Humanitarian aid
On the same day, Prime Minister De Wever announced that Belgium received approval from Jordan to provide short-term humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
“Together with our European partners, we will continue to exert pressure to ensure that humanitarian aid can be organized safely and effectively,” De Wever wrote on X. “If that fails, we do not rule out further measures or sanctions,” he added, asserting that “the coexistence of Israel and a democratic Palestinian state is the only path to peace.”
Following the ongoing discussions, Belgian authorities are expected to stay engaged with their European partners to facilitate humanitarian efforts in the region.
