Belgian Prime Minister's Diplomatic Mission to the Middle East: Analysis and Reactions

2023-11-25 11:41:00

Prime Minister Alexander De Croo is back on Belgian soil after a two-day visit to the Middle East in tandem with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez. Throughout this mission, the Prime has maintained the same line of conduct: Hamas’ acts of terrorism are terrible and Israel has the right to defend itself, within the limits of international law, but must do more to protect civilians. innocent people in the Gaza Strip. Pedro Sanchez went further, declaring “that the time had come for the international community and the European Union to recognize the Palestinian state.”

Statements that greatly displease the Israeli authorities who accuse the Belgian and Spanish leaders of lying and “supporting terrorism”. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hebrew State, Eli Cohena quickly announced the summons of the ambassadors of Belgium and Spain who can expect a “severe reprimand”. According to Cohena, “Israel is acting in accordance with international law and fighting a deadly terrorist organization worse than ISIS, which commits war crimes and crimes against humanity. We will resume fighting after the ceasefire until the elimination of the Hamas regime in the Gaza Strip and the release of all those kidnapped.”

Speaking to La Libre, Alexander De Croo maintained his speech. According to him, Elie Cohen “did not hear or misunderstood” his words and those of the Spanish Prime Minister.

In Rafah, Alexander De Croo and Pedro Sanchez weigh the weight of waiting for aid for Gaza, then face Israel’s anger

Diplomatic mistake?

Diplomacy is a perilous balancing act, especially in the Middle East. Alexander De Croo, however, firmly shared his opinion. Too firmly? “The Prime Minister did not make a diplomatic mistake. He had complete freedom to express his point of view,” recalls Raoul Delcorde, honorary ambassador of Belgium and doctor of political science. “The question relates rather to the interpretation of the Belgian Prime Minister’s communication. I don’t know if Jean-Luc Bodson, our ambassador in Tel Aviv, had been prepared or not. It is now up to him to explain to Israelis that our Prime Minister has every right to make a judgment, and to clarify it if it is misunderstood.”

The summons of the Belgian and Spanish ambassadors is therefore not really unexpected. “It is completely normal for Israeli leaders to share their reactions with the Belgian ambassador. There are different phases in diplomacy when one country is unhappy with another. The summons is the first,” tempers Mr. Delcorde. “There is no question that an ambassador will be recalled or that diplomatic relations will be frozen. We are very far from all that and I think it will never happen between Israel and Belgium. This sequence is a simple explanation between friends.”

According to the doctor of political science, this diplomatic quarrel between Belgium and Israel should therefore not amplify in the coming days. In any case, everything will be done to appease the anger of the Israeli authorities. “It is the role of diplomats to calm things down. We must now reassure Israel and remind it that Belgium is a friend. Ensuring that if differences exist, they do not undermine good relations,” concludes Raoul Delcorde. (With Belga)

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