Belgium Joins List Of Nations Recognising Palestine. Who Else Is On It?

Last Updated:September 02, 2025, 17:57 IST

Belgium’s Foreign Minister confirmed that the formal recognition would be made during the UN General Assembly session, set to begin on September 9, in New York

People hold Palestinian flags as they bid farewell to activists setting sail on their boats to join a civilian flotilla bound for Gaza. (AP file photo)

Belgium has become the latest country to announce plans to recognise a Palestinian state, joining more than145 nations worldwide. The decision comes amid increasing global criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and growing support for Palestinian statehood.

Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot on Tuesday confirmed that the formal recognition would be made during the United Nations General Assembly session, set to begin on September 9, in New York.

“Palestine will be recognized by Belgium during the UN session! And firm sanctions are being imposed on the Israeli government,” Prévot wrote on social media platform X. He added that Belgium would also strongly condemn both antisemitism and any support for terrorism by Hamas supporters.

Prévot said the decision was driven by the “humanitarian tragedy” in Gaza, where months of Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have displaced most of the population. The United Nations has also warned of famine in the region.

“In response to 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,” he added.

Who Else Is Recognising Palestine State?

The move places Belgium among more than 145 countries that have recognised the State of Palestine, many of which did so after its declaration in 1988. While early support came mostly from non-Western nations, recent months have seen a noticeable shift in Western attitudes.

In July, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would recognise Palestine at the upcoming UN session. France’s decision was soon echoed by Australia and Canada, who have also declared plans to support Palestinian statehood during the same meeting.

The United Kingdom has said it is prepared to recognise a Palestinian state, but only if certain conditions are met, including an Israeli commitment to a ceasefire in Gaza.

These announcements put additional pressure on Israel and leave the United States increasingly isolated on the issue, as some of its closest allies shift their positions.

US President Donald Trump has firmly rejected these moves. His administration has backed Israel throughout the conflict and criticised countries supporting Palestinian recognition, calling it a “reward to terrorists”.

Israel’s government also opposes the push, saying a Palestinian state would legitimise Hamas after the October 7 attacks. It continues to reject statehood talks, especially while war continues in Gaza.

Palestinians seek an independent state in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, territories occupied by Israel since 1967. But with Gaza now facing severe food shortages and international condemnation over aid restrictions, calls for Palestinian statehood are growing louder on the world stage.

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