Brussels Sees Mass Pro-Palestinian March Following Plans of Recognizing Palestine

Tens of thousands demonstrated in Brussels on Sunday in solidarity with Palestinians, days after Belgium’s Foreign Minister said the European Union’s credibility on foreign policy was “collapsing” due to its failure to act, according to AFP.

Wide Protests

Police estimated the crowd at approximately 70,000, while organizers claimed that as many as 120,000 people participated in the march through the capital.

Many demonstrators carried red cards, reflecting calls for tougher measures against Israel to protect the civilians in Gaza who are suffering unthinkable humanitarian conditions.

“Me, I dream of a Palestinian state for the Palestinians, where they can live like any other people,” Ismet Gumusboga, a 60-year-old security worker, told AFP.

In the face of the ongoing genocide, the measures taken are not yet adequate,” Gregory Mauze, spokesman for the Belgo-Palestinian association ABP, said.

Plans to Recognize 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.

EU’s Credibility Collapses

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.

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