Egypt welcomes Belgium’s plans to recognize Palestinian state

CAIRO – 3 September 2025: Egypt said it welcomes Belgium’s announcement of its intention to recognize the Palestinian state during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, set to take place this month.

“This historic and important step supports Palestinian rights and the Palestinian people’s exercise of their right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state, contiguous on the June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital,” the Egyptian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Egypt affirms that this decision, along with similar moves by other countries in recent times, reflects tangible international support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate aspirations, while also demonstrating the global desire to achieve a just peace and peaceful coexistence in the Middle East.

Furthermore, the decision expresses rejection of the aggressive Israeli policies and the Israeli government’s stance against peace, as well as its efforts to undermine the establishment of a Palestinian state, which violate international law and norms, the statement said.

The Belgian decision also reflects the growing international backing for the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights, according to the statement.

Egypt voiced appreciation for the recent international momentum toward recognizing the State of Palestine, which has seen a wave of declarations by countries intending to extend recognition.

Egypt reiterates its call to all countries that have yet to recognize the State of Palestine to “expedite this step, standing on the side of humanity and contributing to the implementation of the two-state solution and the initiation of a serious track to restore peace, security, and stability in the Middle East for all peoples of the region.”

Belgian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot announced on Tuesday that his country will recognize the State of Palestine at the UNGA and vowed sanctions on Israel.

“Palestine will be recognised by Belgium at the UN session! And firm sanctions will be imposed against the Israeli government,” Prevot wrote on an X post.

Several countries, including France, the United Kingdom and Australia, have announced their plans to recognize a Palestinian state during the UNGA meeting, decisions slammed by the US.

Last Friday, the US State Department announced denying entry visas to the Palestinian delegation at the upcoming UNGA meeting, including President Mahmoud Abbas, citing the Palestinian Authority's “efforts to secure the unilateral recognition of a conjectural Palestinian state.”

Leading the initiative, French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the necessity to “build the State of Palestine, guarantee its viability, and ensure that by accepting its demilitarization and fully recognizing Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the region.”

“There is no alternative,” he stressed in a statement in July.