Belgium wants to gather a large group of European countries to start a process for the recognition of a Palestinian State to end the cycle of violence in the region, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) said on Monday.
De Croo met with his Palestinian counterpart Mohammad Mustafa in Brussels on Monday, the day after an Israeli attack that killed 45 people at a refugee camp in Rafah, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.
"Totally unacceptable. You lead people to a safe zone and it is then attacked with bombs," said De Croo, adding that the attack confirmed that an end to the violence, a ceasefire and the release of the Israeli hostages by Hamas can be the only priorities. He stressed that finding a solution to get out of the conflict "will only succeed if there are responsible and reasonable leaders around the table along both sides."
According to Israeli government spokesperson Avi Hyman, Sunday's strike had targeted two high-ranking Hamas officers. "Based on initial findings, a fire broke out after the attack. We are investigating," said Hyman.
"When I listen to [Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa] and his ministers, I see an absolute willingness from the Palestinian side to have that kind of conversation. I hope soon there will also be a willingness from the Israeli side to put reasonable and responsible people around the table."
Complete understanding
Last week, Spain, Ireland and Norway announced they would recognise the Palestinian state. While Belgium did not follow suit, possible recognition was not a real topic of conversation during the meeting on Monday, said De Croo. "There was mostly appreciation for the role Belgium played, because we were one of the first countries to call for an immediate ceasefire and to stop the violent settlers."
According to him, there is also "100% understanding" along the Palestinian side for the role Belgium wants to play in "bringing together a large group of European countries" to engage in a process that should lead to a ceasefire and the release of the hostages – which should include the recognition of the Palestinian State.
Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib (left), Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa (middle) and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Baras
Prime Minister Mustafa confirmed this, saying he "appreciated" the Belgian position towards the conflict. "We have a long relationship with Belgium, which has long supported the Palestinian cause, and we appreciate its position on what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank."
One of the issues raised was the financial state of the Palestinian Authority, which is dictated by Israel who refuses to handover collections from Palestinian taxes. "Israel has decided to withhold all our money, preventing us from paying our teachers, nurses and policemen. We cannot accept this," Mustafa said.
Yesterday, a so-called ‘safe zone’ outside Rafah was bombed by Israel, killing tens of women and children.
We urgently need partners ready to sit around the table to discuss peace. Thank you Prime Minister Mustafa Mohamed for explaining your plans to me and @hadjalahbib today. pic.twitter.com/nxqpwp4Gwe — Alexander De Croo 🇧🇪🇪🇺 (@alexanderdecroo) May 27, 2024
The day before meeting De Croo, Mustafa also discussed how to join forces to achieve a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister Hadja Lahbib (MR), Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide and other representatives of Arab, European and EU countries.
"Our goal is clear: a two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in security and peace," Lahbib said in a press release. "Because the two-state solution is the only way to guarantee peace between Palestinians and Israelis, to prevent the conflict from escalating and to establish stability and coexistence between the peoples of the region."
The aim of the meeting was to define "the calendar and criteria" that would make recognition "of Palestine a useful lever for peace," she added. "Recognition with rights and freedoms for Palestinians. Recognition with a legitimate Palestinian Authority capable of providing governance, with the support and commitment of Arab countries and the EU."
Before the meeting, senior European foreign policy representative Josep Borrell had already said that while "humanitarian aid and the release of the hostages is urgent," they needed to "reinvigorate the political process for a two-state solution."
Situation is rapidly escalating
In the meantime, Federal Minister for Development Cooperation Caroline Gennez (Vooruit) announced that Belgium is releasing an additional €5 million in aid for Palestine.
The additional aid will be added to the current cooperation programme, which runs from 2022 to 2027 and accounts for €70 million. The aim is to improve access to education, especially in areas hard hit by the Israeli occupation, and to improve the quality of education.
If and when there is a ceasefire in Gaza, the money can also be used to repair school buildings, Gennez said. Belgium previously released funds for humanitarian aid in Gaza, "but after the mission trip to Palestine earlier this month, it became clear that the situation in the West Bank is rapidly escalating," she said.
"Israeli settlers are becoming increasingly violent, driving Palestinian families out of their homes and villages every day. The far-right Israeli Government refuses to transfer Palestinian tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority," Gennez stressed.
