EU’s Credibility on Foreign Policy ‘Collapses’ over Failure to Stop Gaza War: Belgian FM

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said on Sept. 5 that the European Union’s credibility on foreign policy is “collapsing” because of its inability to take decisive moves over Israel’s war in Gaza, according to AFP.

“It is undeniable, we are not going to bury our heads in the sand, that the European Union at this stage is not living up to its responsibilities in this enormous humanitarian crisis,” Prevot said.

Plans of Recognizing Palestinian State

Last week, Belgium unveiled plans to recognize the Palestinian State at the United Nations General Assembly this month, according to Reuters.

“Palestine will be recognized by Belgium at the UN session! And firm sanctions are being imposed against the Israeli government,” Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot wrote on X.

Prevot noted that this move came in a crucial time as a “humanitarian tragedy” is unfolding in Gaza.

He also said that Israeli offensives have displaced most of the population at least once and the UN has declared a famine.

“In the face of the violence perpetrated by Israel in violation of international law, given its international obligations, including the duty to prevent any risk of genocide, Belgium had to take strong decisions to increase pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas terrorists,” Prevot wrote.

Notably, the decision comes at a crucial time as the EU has not taken any concrete action against Israel over the unthinkable humanitarian crisis in Gaza, hindered by sharp divisions among its 27 member states.

“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,” Prevot said.

Gaza War

Currently, Israel is facing regional and international pressure to put an end to its war in the Palestinian enclave and allow the delivery of more aid.

At the same time, the Israeli government has been facing harsh criticism from countries, nations, and individuals who considered the war as a genocide or ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.

Since the beginning of Hamas-Israel War, the Israeli strikes have killed more than 64,200 Palestinians and wounded over 161,500, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Dozens of Gazans including children have lost their souls due to malnutrition throughout the war that caused unthinkable humanitarian conditions.

Rights group Amnesty International has accused Israel of enacting a “deliberate policy” of starvation in Gaza and “systematically destroying the health, well-being and social fabric of Palestinian life.”

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