The end of the violence in Gaza will not come any closer if we as a country join the genocide case brought by South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). This was stated by Member of Parliament Egbert Lachaert (Open Vld) in Parliament.
Yesterday it was announced that greens, socialists and CD&V are in favor of an investigation by the ICJ. “Gaza is on fire,” said Green faction leader Wouter De Vriendt during question time in the plenary Chamber. “From a liberal compass for human rights, liberals should follow suit. Every effort to stop the violence is worth it.”
Lachaert warned colleagues not to be drawn into a “political bidding war”. After all, this would not bring the end of the clash of arms any closer. He pointed out that, as President of the European Council, our country is in a position to bring as many other countries as possible on the same page to stop the violence. “How are we going to play that authority? By supporting South Africa’s action, which no other European country is following?” Lachaert asked.
“Gennez’s statements are highly unfortunate”
He also returned to the statements of Minister of Development Cooperation Caroline Gennez (Vooruit). She had stated that Germany is allowing itself to be pulled over by the Israeli government. “German friends, are you really going to be on the wrong side of history twice?” Gennez had said in ‘Knack’. Lachaert called those statements “highly unfortunate”. His liberal colleague Michel De Maegd (MR) found them “disgraceful” and “reprehensible”. Peter De Roover (N-VA) thought that Gennez had “headbutted” Germany in this way.
Vicky Reynaert (Vooruit) complained that N-VA “twisted the minister’s words so as not to have to say anything about Israel. Els Van Hoof (CD&V) denied that there was an auction. “The alarm signals on the site are going off,” it said.
“How many more hospitals need to be bombed?”
Minister Van Tigchelt, who spoke on behalf of the absent Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that Belgium had taken a “balanced” position from the start of the violence. “Our country continues to look at how it can play the most effective and constructive role, with the most important goal being that there are no more victims.”
The core cabinet will further consider the question of whether our country should participate in the genocide case, Van Tigchelt assures. “But every decision must be carefully evaluated as to whether our constructive role is jeopardized.” Consultation with other European countries is therefore also necessary. “And we see no support there,” says Van Tigchelt.
“How many more Palestinians have to die? How many hospitals still need to be bombed?” De Vriendt responded.
Also read: Is Israel really committing genocide against Palestinians? Experts: “20,000 deaths, but with what intention? That’s the question” (+)
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