'I want Belgium to take action at International Court of Justice,' says country's deputy prime minister

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister Petra De Sutter expressed support for South Africa's case against Israel on Tuesday, saying "Belgium cannot remain silent in the face of the genocide threat in Gaza."

"We must take action against the threat of genocide," she wrote on X.

"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," she added.

De Sutter previously had asserted that "it is time to boycott Israel. Bombing like rain is inhumane. It is clear that Israel ignores international calls for a ceasefire."

Expressing concern about the deaths of children in Gaza every day, she urged the Belgian government to implement trade sanctions against Israel.

South Africa filed the lawsuit Dec. 29 claiming that Israel violated the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the crime of genocide with its actions in Gaza since Oct. 7, requesting an injunction.

Hearings in the case are set to take place at The Hague later this week.

Türkiye, Bolivia and Malaysia have already signaled support for the case.