AJC Statement on Belgium’s Announcement Regarding Palestinian Statehood

Belgium's announcement of its intention to recognize a Palestinian state is, like similar pronouncements from other nations, counterproductive to the stated goal of achieving a two-state solution, even with Brussels making clear that such recognition is dependent upon the fulfillment of specific, well-defined conditions.

Recognizing a non-existent Palestinian state will not bring an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, will not instantly reform the Palestinian Authority, will not improve the lives of the Palestinian people or assure Israeli security, and will not set the stage for necessary bilateral negotiations to resolve territorial claims.

The absence of legitimate governance in Gaza, the lack of a unified and representative Palestinian leadership, and ongoing security threats make any move toward recognition entirely disconnected from current realities on the ground. This announcement - like those from other European nations - rewards Hamas, an internationally recognized terrorist organization that continues to reject the very principles of peace and coexistence, and whose leaders have openly declared their intent to repeat the horrors of October 7, 2023.

In its announcement, Belgium made it clear that its recognition of Palestinian statehood will be conditioned upon the release of all the hostages held by Hamas, the assurance that Hamas would be disarmed and have no role in governing any future Palestinian state, and other steps. We urge all nations to apply maximum pressure on Hamas to release the hostages and lay down its weapons.

Belgium's announcement, which was coupled with the announcement of a series of proposed sanctions against Israel, actively undermines the prospects for a peace process. By removing any incentive for negotiations and bypassing the dialogue that must take place between Israel and the Palestinians, unilateral recognition erodes the very foundations of the two-state solution Europe claims to support. These actions risk entrenching positions rather than encouraging compromise.

AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 regional offices across the United States, 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC's mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org.

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