The government maintains its position on Israel and releases 5 million euros for an investigation by the International Criminal Court

The federal government is releasing 5 million euros for the International Criminal Court’s investigation into possible war crimes in the conflict between Israel and Hamas and is taking a number of other initiatives. There is no consensus on an import ban on products from occupied Palestinian territories or other measures against Israel.

For the CD&V and the green and socialist parties in the federal government, measures against Israel in response to the bombing of hospitals and refugee camps in the Gaza Strip are an option. The liberals would stop that boat, although Prime Minister Alexander De Croo called Israel’s actions in Gaza on Monday “no longer proportionate”.

That position has not changed after Wednesday’s core cabinet. It has been agreed that Belgium will accommodate children and women who were seriously injured in the conflict, for example in the military hospital of Neder-Over-Heembeek, that medication will be provided for the Jewish hostages in Gaza through the International Red Cross and that resources will also be provided go to hospitals in neighboring Egypt. That would be done via B-Fast. State Secretary for Equal Opportunities Marie-Colline Leroy (Ecolo) is also organizing a round table with the Jewish and Palestinian communities in Belgium.

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In addition, 5 million euros will go to the International Criminal Court in The Hague. It investigates possible war crimes in Israel and Gaza. The United Nations has already accused both the Israeli army and Hamas of war crimes in the conflict.

As far as the care of injured people is concerned, according to Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit), there must first be an official request from the World Health Organization. The minister would prefer to do this within a European framework. Only after a question has been received from the WHO will it become clear what type of injuries are involved and which hospitals are eligible.