Flemish Government Considers Actions Against Israel Amid Palestinian Crisis
Friday evening, the top leadership of the Flemish government is deliberating measures Flanders may take against Israel due to the escalating situation in Palestine. The parties Vooruit and CD&V are advocating for a firmer approach, intensifying pressure on the N-VA ahead of the discussions. However, it remains uncertain whether concrete outcomes will emerge from this evening’s meeting, reports 24brussels.
The meeting includes Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele of N-VA and his deputy minister-presidents, Hilde Crevits from CD&V, Melissa Depraetere of Vooruit, and Ben Weyts of N-VA. Discussions will center around potential measures against Israel.
Vooruit and CD&V have been urging a more assertive stance on Israel for weeks, yet N-VA has not yet aligned with this position. To exert further pressure, Vooruit and CD&V submitted a resolution earlier this week advocating for stricter sanctions, proposing the closure of the Flanders Investment and Trade office in Tel Aviv and a tightening of the arms embargo against Israel.
Prior to the meeting, Diependaele disseminated a memo to the coalition parties, but both CD&V and Vooruit responded critically, deeming the proposals insufficient.
Just before the meeting commenced, Minister Crevits stated, “I’m not here to argue, but to take measures, and I hope we can discuss this in all serenity.” She added, “The situation in Palestine is terrible; it is good that we are going to discuss a package of measures in all seriousness.”
Minister Depraetere emphasized the importance of addressing “the genocide that is taking place,” while acknowledging the existence of “various proposals” in Diependaele’s memorandum. She insisted on the necessity of discussing these proposals within the government. Both ministers expressed hope for a rapid resolution, with Crevits declaring, “if this does not happen on Friday evening, we will continue in the coming days.”
Minister Ben Weyts of N-VA suggested that an agreement could be feasible that evening, “if there is some reasonableness.” He noted, however, that a competitive struggle among parties to portray themselves as the most radical and pro-Palestinian complicates negotiations.
On September 2, the Flemish Parliament is set to vote on the resolution proposed by Vooruit and CD&V. Additionally, a federal meeting regarding Gaza is scheduled for Monday.
