Tens of thousands march in Brussels against Israel as Belgium pledges recognition of a Palestinian state and announces sanctions tied to Gaza’s humanitarian crisis..
The streets of Brussels turned crimson on Sunday, as an estimated 70,000 to 120,000 protesters surged through the Belgian capital in one of Europe’s largest pro-Palestinian demonstrations to date.
Waving red cards in unison, demonstrators demanded harsher measures against Israel, denouncing what they called the “genocide in Gaza.”
Gregory Mauze, spokesman for the Belgo-Palestinian Association (ABP), declared:
“In the face of the ongoing genocide, the measures taken are not yet adequate.”
The mass protest erupted just days after Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot announced that Belgium would:
- Recognize a Palestinian state, in line with initiatives by France and Saudi Arabia.
- Impose sanctions on Israel, citing violations of international law.
- Link recognition to the release of all hostages by Hamas and the end of Hamas governance over Palestinian territories.
Prévot accused Israel of committing grave breaches of humanitarian law, stressing Belgium’s obligation to act under the Genocide Convention.
He further pledged Belgian support for:
- Reconstruction efforts in “Palestine”
- Stronger measures against antisemitism, including closer coordination between security forces and Jewish community leaders.
With the UN General Assembly looming later this month, Belgium’s announcement places it firmly alongside France and Saudi Arabia in pushing for international recognition of Palestine, while sending a sharp rebuke to Israel in the midst of its war with Hamas.
