Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Belgium is expected to announce recognition of the State of Palestine on Monday.
This was in “historic moments,” as described by Palestine’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Riyad Mansour.
Belgium thus joins Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal, which officially announced on Sunday their recognition of the Palestinian state.
This represents a historic shift in the policy of these countries, traditionally allies of Israel. It comes nearly two years after the outbreak of war in the Gaza Strip.
The move sparked sharp criticism in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday, in a video message addressed to the leaders of Britain, Australia and Canada, “There will be no Palestinian state”. He had previously pledged to engage in a confrontation at the United Nations. He considered that “The establishment of a Palestinian state threatens the existence of the Israeli state”.
Review step
Washington, for its part, described the move as a “show”.
“Our focus remains on serious diplomacy and protecting Israel’s security,” a State Department spokesperson said.
The recognition of these countries came on the eve of the start of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
On the sidelines of which a summit will be held under the chairmanship of Saudi Arabia and France. It aims to consider the future of the “two-state solution”. During this time, several countries, led by France, are expected to confirm their recognition of the State of Palestine.
It also came in parallel with Israel’s intensification of its offensive. There was also an expansion of its ground operations aimed at controlling Gaza City.
This followed after an independent international investigation committee, assigned by the United Nations, accused Israel last Tuesday of committing “genocide” in the besieged and destroyed Gaza Strip.
The United Nations also officially declared famine in Gaza last month (August).
It is noteworthy that 147 countries out of the 193 member states of the United Nations recognize the State of Palestine. This state was declared by the PLO in 1988. However, the number has recently increased with recent recognitions.
