BELGIUM – Belgium’s deputy prime minister, Petra De Sutter, has called for sanctions against Israel, condemning the bombings in Gaza.
De Sutter, representing the Greens, expressed concern on her X account, about ongoing war crimes in Gaza, where Israel initiated extensive bombing in response to an attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in 1,400 casualties.
According to officials from the Hamas-run health ministry, as of Wednesday, 10,569 Gaza residents, approximately 40% of them children, have lost their lives. This conflict stands as one of the bloodiest episodes in the longstanding Israel-Palestinian conflict.
De Sutter urged the European Union to promptly suspend its association agreement with Israel, which aims to enhance economic and political cooperation.
She proposed sanctions on individuals and companies financially supporting Hamas, as well as advocating for entry bans for those involved in war crimes, including violent settlers, politicians, and military figures.
“This is a terrorist organization. Terror costs money and there must be sanctions on the companies and people who provide Hamas with money,” De Sutter said