Today, the federal nuclear cabinet considered whether Belgium would join a possible European mission against the Yemeni Houthi rebels who have been attacking merchant ships in the Red Sea for weeks. The majority was still divided about this in the House on Thursday. According to Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib (MR), Belgium has “a duty” to participate, but the Socialists and Greens held off.
Now there is an agreement: our country will send the frigate Louise-Marie to the region. The military ship is not intended to carry out attacks – like the Americans and British with their bombings in Yemen, but it is intended to protect commercial cargo ships in the Red Sea. The modalities and the rules of engagement (read: the rules that our soldiers must adhere to) will be further determined by the government and at European level.
In exchange for participation, our country will increase pressure on Israel to defuse the conflict with the Palestinians. Belgium – as President of the Council of the European Union – will insist on an immediate ceasefire and will also advocate for it to allow aid supplies into Gaza. In addition, our country continues to demand the release of all hostages and continues to support a two-state solution.
Finally, the government confirms its confidence in the International Court of Justice South Africa has filed a genocide case against Israel. Our country will support the conclusions and monitor their implementation, it said.
Government has local Enabel employees evacuated
Belgium will also work on this repatriation of local employees from Enabel from Gaza. In total it will pass 74 people, Minister of Development Cooperation Caroline Gennez (Vooruit) explained at a press conference after the core. These are 19 local employees of the federal government’s development agency – Palestinians – and their nuclear family. This involves 43 minors, 37 of whom are under the age of twelve, and two pregnant women.
According to Minister Gennez, they will be placed on the evacuation list and subjected to a security screening. An initial screening has already been carried out by the Belgian services. “These are people who have worked day in and day out for our international solidarity,” she emphasized.