Belgium will officially recognise the State of Palestine during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September, Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot announced on Tuesday.

He stated on X, “Palestine will be recognised by Belgium at the UN session! And firm sanctions are being imposed against the Israeli government”.

This announcement follows French President Emmanuel Macron’s declaration in July that France would also recognise a Palestinian state at the UN meeting, scheduled for September 9 to 23 in New York.

Since then, more than a dozen other Western countries have urged similar actions.

Prevot explained that Belgium’s decision was made “in view of the humanitarian tragedy” unfolding in Gaza, where Israeli military operations have displaced a significant portion of the population and the UN has declared a famine.

He emphasised that Belgium felt compelled to take strong measures to increase pressure on both the Israeli government and Hamas due to ongoing violence that violates international law.

“This is not about punishing the Israeli people, but rather about ensuring that its government respects international and humanitarian law and taking action to try to change the situation on the ground”, he stated.

Additionally, the Belgian news agency Belga reported that the Belgian government plans to impose sanctions on Israel concerning goods produced in the occupied territories.