De Croo distances himself from minister's statement on German support for Israel
Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo has distanced himself from statements made by minister of Development Cooperation Caroline Gennez, on Germany's stance in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He said this on Friday in De Ochtend on Radio 1.
Gennez, of Flemish socialists Vooruit, said in an interview with magazine Knack this week that Germany was letting itself be taken in by the Israeli government. "German friends: are you really going to be on the wrong side of history twice?" Gennez asked.
Gennez had previously been rebuked for these remarks, including from the Jewish community. De Croo has now distanced himself from the comments. "I would like to distance myself from that. I don't think we should criticise other countries," he told De Morgen on Friday.
"I find this totally counterproductive"
Foreign minister Hadja Lahbib, who is currently on a foreign mission in China with De Croo, also expressed her disapproval on Friday.
"I find this totally counterproductive, especially as we have just taken over the presidency of the Council of the European Union," she said." Until now, Belgium has been praised for its exemplary attitude. If we want to play a role, it should be that of mediator and not prosecutor. It is a pity because it distorts the gains we have made through our constructive attitude."
Belgium has been at calling for a peaceful solution and putting an end to the ongoing conflict. Deputy prime minister Petra De Sutter of Flemish green party Groen said she would join South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
"Belgium cannot stand by and watch the immense human suffering in Gaza. We must act against the threat of genocide," she wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "I want Belgium to take action at the International Court of Justice, following the lead of South Africa. I will propose this within the Belgian government."
© BELGA PHOTO LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ
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