Belgian foreign minister hails trade curbs on Israeli settlements as ‘important step’

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot welcomed plans Tuesday by France, the UK, Canada and others to introduce restrictions on trade in goods from Israeli settlements, calling the move an “important step.”

“The decision taken today by several countries including the UK, France and Canada, to join the group of countries who, like Belgium, have taken action against the settlement policy of Israel is an important step,” Prevot wrote on US social media platform X.

“The international community has indeed to react with concrete measures when international law is violated,” he said. “I commend the efforts of my colleagues.”

Prevot urged Israel to end its expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank, referring to a joint leaders’ statement that was co-signed Aug. 20 by Belgium.

“We will continue to act in its interest,” he said, referring to a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace for the Israelis and the Palestinians based on the two-state solution.”

France, the UK, Canada, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Sweden said they intend to introduce national restrictions on trade in goods from Israeli settlements that are illegal under international law, according to a declaration.

The declaration said France, the UK and Canada would propose national measures to prohibit trade in goods originating from settlements, while welcoming measures already taken by Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium.

UN data indicate that violence by Israeli occupiers has reached "unprecedented levels," with more than 1,400 attacks resulting in casualties or property damage documented in 2026.

Approximately 750,000 Israeli occupiers reside in 516 illegal settlements and outposts in the occupied territory, carrying out near-daily efforts to displace Palestinians from their land.