Over the past few days, government officials have begun to break out of the stranglehold on dissent clouding over the trans-Atlantic. According to a report from AFP, on Nov. 9 Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said that Israeli “extremists” should not be allowed to enter the country or the European Union. “Our country must ensure that those who commit serious crimes, for example, those who commit violence in the West Bank, can be prevented from entering our country and the European Union,” De Croo told the Belgian parliament.
The Prime Minister also suggested that sanctions could be imposed on such individuals, including “a minister who calls for the use of nuclear weapons against a population that cannot do anything and that already lives today in horrible conditions.” He was making a reference to Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu, who recently said that using an atomic bomb on Gaza was “one option” to be considered. (The same sanction would rightfully apply also to U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.)
The day before, Nov. 8, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Petra De Sutter had called for sanctions against Israel. She posted on X: “It’s time for sanctions against Israel. The rain of bombs is inhumane. While war crimes are being committed in Gaza, Israel is ignoring international demands for a ceasefire. I am calling on the federal government to sanction Israel.”
