Within the European Union, Belgium is campaigning for a ban on the import of products from areas occupied by Israel. Prime Minister De Croo said this on Monday in ‘The Morning’ on Radio 1.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) wants to stop trade with areas that Israel occupies, in order to exert political pressure on the country. For example, it concerns the trade of agricultural products such as dates, olive oil and wine.
De Croo points out that violence is increasing not only in the Gaza Strip, but also in the occupied West Bank. According to the Prime Minister, in these circumstances it is “difficult for European countries to say that we will continue to act as if nothing is wrong,” the radio program said. The morning.
If Belgium were to introduce such a trade ban alone, it would have “zero influence”, according to De Croo. That is why our country has been making demarches to other European countries for several weeks “to see how we can at least have a large group of countries that are prepared to take that step,” the Prime Minister said.
Protests at university
De Croo also warned Israel again about an invasion of Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip. “That would have dramatic consequences for the population,” he believes. The Prime Minister sees that this is also stirring up emotions in our country, for example at the universities. “If I were a student today, I think there is a good chance that I would also make my protest voice heard.”
Tags: Croo forge European coalition trade sanctions Israel Ban importing products occupied territories
