Belgium is on the verge of forming a new government after nearly eight months of political deadlock, marking a significant shift in its stance towards Israel and the Middle East. The coalition, composed of five parties leaning toward the center-right, has effectively set a neutral stance on Jerusalem and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The new government’s agenda focuses on addressing economic crisis, with plans to cut public spending, tackle inflation, and boost economic growth. However, some critics argue that this will come at the cost of reducing welfare benefits for migrants and asylum seekers.
On security matters, the government aims to increase funding for the military and police to combat rising crime. Incoming Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s strong ties with the Jewish community are also reflected in the coalition agreement, which pledges not to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state and classifies Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.
This marks a significant departure from Belgium’s previous stance towards Israel, where anti-Israel sentiment was prevalent. Under the new government, there is a hope that Brussels will no longer be a hotbed for pro-Palestinian movements or their ties with Hamas. With 81 out of 150 lawmakers expected to back the coalition, it seems that this new direction is gaining momentum in Belgian politics.
Source: https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/02/02/belgium-signals-dramatic-change-in-israel-policy