Above photo: Destroyed buildings are pictured in Gaza, amid Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip, on June 25, 2024. Reuters.
A major breakthrough in the fight for justice for Palestinian people.
The Brussels Parliament has passed a resolution to formally recognize the acts committed by the Israeli military in Gaza as genocide and call for sanctions against the occupying regime.
NOTE: EuroNews reports: Thousands marched on the streets of Brussels on Sunday [January 26], calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and urging both the Belgian government and the European Union (EU) to sanction Israel. Protesters demanded the protection of the Palestinian population, the release of politically detained individuals, and access to international aid for those in Gaza currently facing a humanitarian emergency. Organisers on social media also urged the Belgian government to impose a comprehensive international military embargo against Israel, support the ongoing case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Israel’s conduct during the war with Hamas, and push the EU to suspend its Association Agreement with Israel on the grounds of human rights violations. Belgian police said they counted around 7,000 people taking part at the march. It was organised by dozens of Belgian NGOs, including 11.11.11, Amnesty International Belgium, Pax Christi and Groen.
The March 30 Movement, which has long advocated for the Palestinian cause, stated that the historic step was adopted on February 3.
This comes as the movement’s electoral initiative during the 2024 campaign, Viva Palestina, focused on one key demand: for the Brussels Parliament to officially recognize the genocide in Gaza and take concrete action.
Throughout the campaign, Viva Palestina engaged extensively in debates with political parties, applied pressure to push them to take a stance, and mobilized public opinion.
With the resolution adopted at the commission level, the March 30 Movement urged all Belgian parties to vote in its favor in the plenary session, ensuring that Brussels continues to lead by example in the fight for justice and human rights.
It noted that “recognition of Gaza genocide is not only a moral and political victory, but also a powerful statement from the capital of Europe — one that will hopefully inspire other legislative bodies to follow suit.”
The March 30 Movement stated that the resolution calls for practical measures, including the prohibition of arms exports to Israel and the cessation of economic missions to the occupied Palestinian territories.
The group emphasized that it remains steadfast in its mission to end Israeli impunity.
“Through both legal and political avenues, we will continue to push for justice, including through our legal arm, the Hind Rajab Foundation, which has been actively pursuing cases against Israeli war criminals in national and international courts,” it said.
Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, which was launched on October 7, 2023, killed nearly 62,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to an updated death toll provided by local authorities.
A ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement went into effect in Gaza on January 19, halting Israel’s aggressive campaign against the coastal region.
Since October 2023, at least 905 Palestinians have also been killed across the occupied West Bank in attacks by Israeli forces and settlers.
At least 25 Palestinians have been killed in the northern West Bank city of Jenin since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in Gaza. Dozens of injuries, detentions and forced evictions of families have taken place during the period as well.