2023-11-24 12:20:00
Two emergency requests were made at the opening of the plenary session. The first, relating to the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, was accepted and will be examined later in session. That on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was on the other hand postponed, the emergency having only obtained the support of the PS (minus the abstentions of Julien Uyttendaele and Jean-Frédéric Eerdekens), Vooruit, Ecolo-Groen and the PTB .
This situation was denounced by the PTB. “We see the double standards, it’s incomprehensible,” declared Antoine Hermant. The communists left the room after the vote.
Latifa Gahouchi (PS), Bert Anciaux (Vooruit) and Hélène Ryckmans (Ecolo-Groen) also denounced this situation. “The life of a Ukrainian child is equal to the life of a Palestinian child and equal to the life of an Israeli child,” commented Ms. Gahouchi. Ms Ryckmans stressed “the importance of not sending a message of double standards”, recalling having tabled a resolution two years ago on the recognition of the Palestinian state.
The right therefore rejected the emergency, ensuring that approval of the socialist resolution “formally recognizing the State of Palestine” would undermine Belgium’s diplomatic efforts.
“There is a diplomatic effort on site by the president of the EU and the future Belgian president. They are doing everything possible to end the conflict,” recalled Rik Daems (Open Vld), member of the Prime Minister’s party, in reference to the ongoing visit of Alexander De Croo and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez. “The essence of the text, the unilateral recognition of the Palestinian state, is contrary to Belgium’s diplomatic position. From a diplomatic point of view, it would be damaging,” he said.
Gaëtan Van Goidsenhoven (MR) agreed, seeing a problem of timing: “Let’s let those who are on site work in a context of serenity,” he judged.
As urgency was not granted, the proposal was sent back to committee.
Tensions also emerged this week in the House over whether to pass a resolution on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The External Relations Committee had to postpone its session on Wednesday. The subject divides the majority and, in the absence of the liberal parties, the N-VA and Vooruit, the quorum was not present to hold a meeting. The MR does not hide its opposition to this socialist text and its refusal to vote for it.
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