Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevost has threatened to completely disrupt government plans if the government does not take a tougher stance toward Israel. This risks spreading the contagion of ministerial resignations that have gripped neighboring the Netherlands, starting with the resignation of the Foreign Minister, followed by eight other ministers in protest against the Dutch government's inaction and inability to take action against Israel despite the genocide and crimes committed against the Palestinian people in Gaza and elsewhere.
According to Belgian media reports on Monday morning, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevost (the "Committed" party) warned that he would block the government's plan proposals if the government coalition does not take a tougher stance toward Israel and move toward recognizing Palestine. According to him, any lenient stance could seriously damage Belgium's reputation.
The Committed, the Democracy, and Vorouët parties are calling for a tougher policy, while the Flemish National Alliance (N-VA) and the Liberal Party (MR) oppose it. Prevost plans to present concrete proposals during a meeting on Wednesday with Prime Minister Bart De Wever, such as an entry ban on Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, a ban on products from the occupied territories, and a ban on arms shipments through Belgian airports. According to the Nieuwsblad newspaper, the same issue is being faced by local governments, particularly the Flemish government. Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Matthias Diependel, of the Flemish National Alliance (VNA), to take a position on Gaza after "two coalition partners were forced to publicly appeal to the government for a unified government position, which is embarrassing." This coincided with the Israeli Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, warning of the dangers of controlling Gaza City. According to Israel's Channel 13 television, Zamir, during a visit to a naval base in Haifa, urged leaders to accept a mediation offer for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. "There is a deal on the table, the improved Witkoff deal. We have to accept it." The army has set the stage for a hostage deal, which is now in the hands of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to Zamir, an invasion of Gaza City would put the lives of the hostages at risk. He warned that Hamas members might kill the hostages or "commit suicide with them." Fifty hostages are still being held in the Gaza Strip, of whom only 20 are alive.