Belgium Has Not Officially Recognized Palestine as an Independent State
The Claim
Belgium to recognize Palestine as an independent state.
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Recently, accounts on the social media platform X have been circulating a claim that Belgium has officially declared Palestine as an independent state. Additionally, it is asserted that Belgium has urged Israel to cease starving civilians, including children, and to allow the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating claim and found it to be misleading, as Belgium has not declared Palestine an independent state following discussions between the Belgian Foreign Minister and his Saudi counterpart.
Latest Statements From Belgian Foreign Ministry on Gaza
Misbar examined the latest statements from the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and found no indication of official recognition of Palestine as an independent state.
However, during the investigation, Misbar found a statement that partially matched the claim, made by the Belgian Minister of Social Development, Caroline Gennez. Gennez stated on the X platform on March 28 that "Israel must stop starving civilians & children, & let sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza."
The minister added, "Hunger as weapon of war equals flagrant violation of international law.
We must keep up international pressure, recognition Palestine state on government agenda tomorrow."
The Belgian minister's post was followed by a statement issued by the International Court of Justice on the same day, urging the Israeli occupation to allow more humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. It noted that the humanitarian situation in Gaza has not improved since the International Court of Justice's decision on January 26, 2024, which called on Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
European Countries Plan To Recognize Palestine as an Independent State
The claim circulated following statements by the Belgian Minister of Social Development, in response to the International Court of Justice's decision against the Israeli occupation, reaffirming that the recognition of Palestine is on her country's government agenda.
On March 22, Spain, Ireland, Malta, and Slovenia jointly announced their readiness to recognize Palestine once the appropriate conditions are met.
The Ongoing Israeli Aggression on Gaza
The Israeli war on the Gaza Strip has reached its 177th day. Since October 7 of last year, the war has resulted in over 100,000 casualties, including 32,782 fatalities and 75,298 injuries of varying degrees, according to the latest statistical report released by the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.
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