Belgian FM Criticizes EU Position On Gaza

Brussels: Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevost criticized on Friday the European Union's position on the situation in Gaza, considering the bloc's foreign policy credibility "in a state of collapse."

Prevost said in a statement, "There is no doubt that the European Union (EU) is not living up to its responsibilities in this enormous humanitarian crisis," adding, ""It is clear that, in the eyes of the public, the credibility of the European Union's foreign policy on this particular issue is collapsing."

He pointed to the divisions among the 27 member states, which have been unable for months to agree on how to punish the Israeli entity for its devastating war waged on the Gaza Strip for more than two years.

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"There is a moral obligation, and there is also a legal imperative to act; countries are parties to international conventions and treaties that oblige them to take all necessary measures to prevent genocide from occurring," he said. "We must be proactive defenders of international law."

The minister also stressed that the aim is to "send a strong political and diplomatic message" and "pressure the Israeli government to respond as quickly as possible to the humanitarian emergency" in Gaza.

Belgium decided this week to impose a series of economic, consular, and other sanctions on Israel and some of its ministers, and pledged to recognize the State of Palestine.

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