Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever confirmed that Belgium has officially recognized the state of Palestine, during a conference in the US. Countries such as France, Britain, Canada and Australia have also promised to recognize Palestine, but with certain conditions.
"The recent statements by a number of Israeli ministers, including the prime minister himself, that there will never be a Palestinian state are an additional reason to reaffirm the right and need for the Palestinians to have their own state," De Wever said in his speech at the UN conference on a two-state solution to the conflict.
Belgian News Agency reported that Prime Minister De Wever said that the Belgian state's recognition of Palestine should not be taken as a reward for Hamas. While confirming Belgium's strong political and diplomatic signal, the prime minister insisted that full legal recognition would only come after all hostages were released, Hamas was removed from power and elections were held in Palestine. He also called on Arab countries to officially recognize Israel.
While French President Emmanuel Macron said that the Paris embassy in Palestine will only open after the hostages are released and a ceasefire is reached in Gaza. So far 150 of the 193 UN member states now recognize Palestine.
