Belgium pledges support for Palestine's educational system

ANKARA

Belgium will provide an additional €5 million ($5.4 million) to Palestine to support its educational system, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

“The Minister of Development Cooperation met with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa to discuss the reform plans of the recently appointed Palestinian Authority,” the Belgian Foreign Ministry said on X.

“Belgium will provide an additional 5 million euros to improve the Palestinian educational system,” it added.

The ministry ensured that Belgium “remains committed to a two-state solution and is working towards a recognition of Palestine with rights and freedoms for its citizens.”

Spain on Tuesday formally recognized Palestinian statehood, as the decision was approved by the Spanish government, while Ireland's and Norway’s decision to recognize it as a state is expected to take effect later in the day.

Belgium supports Palestine and the idea of recognizing it but Belgian officials, including Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, stress the need for a more impactful movement.

Israel has killed nearly 36,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7 last year, which killed around 1,200 people.

More than seven months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered it to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.