Israeli-Palestinian conflict: PM De Croo receives Palestinian representatives

Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo received representatives of Belgium's Palestinian community on Friday to discuss the recent upsurge in tensions between Israel and Hamas, particularly in the Gaza Strip.

"The aim is to listen to you," De Croo said at the start of the discussion, which also included Interior minister Annelies Verlinden and state secretary for Equal Opportunities Marie-Coline Leroy.

"Violence in Palestine and Israel is something we condemn," De Croo said. "Civilians must be protected to the maximum. I hope that humanitarian access can take place and that both sides will talk to each other and find a solution to live in peace."

The federal government received several representatives of Belgium's Jewish community on 12 October to respond to possible concerns about their safety.

^{Alexander De Croo meets members of the Palestinian community © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}

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