Flemish Parties Demand Suspension of Trade with Israel
(MENAFN) Two Flemish ruling parties in Belgium, CD&V and Vooruit, on Monday urged an immediate cessation of assistance provided by Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT) to Belgian firms operating in Israel, which continues its assaults and blockade in Gaza.
This initiative follows prior calls from opposition party Groen, which pressed FIT to shut down its Tel Aviv branch, according to a news agency.
CD&V leader Sammy Mahdi argued that promoting commerce with Israel conflicts with demands for sanctions.
"We support tough economic sanctions against Israel. Actively boosting their economy through trade promotion contradicts that position," Mahdi stated.
The appeal comes ahead of the Flemish Parliament’s emergency session on Gaza, set for August 14.
Although the Flemish government has prohibited direct arms exports to Israel since 2006, a recent judicial ruling obstructed military transit shipments via Belgium, revealing enforcement loopholes.
Political parties are also contemplating halting the EU-Israel Association Agreement and terminating scientific collaboration.
While foreign affairs remain a federal matter, Flanders could independently take action using regional tools, increasing pressure on coalition leader N-VA to react.
Rejecting global appeals for a ceasefire, the Israeli military has carried out a ruthless campaign in Gaza since October 7, 2023, resulting in over 60,800 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children.
This military operation has ravaged the territory and pushed it to the brink of starvation.
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