Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo is spearheading efforts to rally European Union countries in imposing trade sanctions on Israel. In a recent interview with Het Laatste Nieuws, De Croo advocated for a ban on products originating from Israeli settlements, citing concerns over the ongoing conflict’s toll, including a high number of casualties, particularly among children.

Despite facing resistance and the unlikelihood of garnering support from all 27 EU member states, De Croo has been actively collaborating with other European leaders and has urged the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, to investigate whether Israel’s actions violate its association agreement with the EU. While De Croo’s stance aligns with Belgium’s historically critical position towards Israel, his efforts face domestic and international scrutiny, particularly as Belgium prepares for upcoming elections.