Residents in Belgium's capital Brussels shared a positive outlook about recognising the State of Palestine, and believe this will be a crucial step in deescalating the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Brussels, Belgium - May 22, 2024
Storyline:
Residents in Belgium's capital Brussels shared a positive outlook about recognizing the State of Palestine, and believe this will be a crucial step in deescalating the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict.
Norway, Ireland and Spain announced their recognition of Palestine as a state on Wednesday. The recognition will come into effect on May 28, according to the statements issued by the three countries.
There have been differences on this issue for a long time among European Union countries.
Back in January 2024, the EU once put forward a peace plan to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Widely accepted by countries among the bloc and the international community, it was, however, still opposed by countries such as Germany and Austria.
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said on May 15 that the EU again urged another political process, giving the Palestinian Authority real power.
According to him, the two-state solution is the only way to deal with the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Since there are still heated debates on the issue among EU members, it is still unknown whether Palestine will be recognized as a state by EU.
Shotlist:
FILE: Brussels, Belgium - Nov 14, 2023:
1. Various of Royal Palace of Brussels, national flag of Belgium;
2. Various of traffic, traffic lights;
Brussels, Belgium - May 22, 2024:
3. SOUNDBITE (English) local resident (name not given) (partially overlaid with shot 4):
"I agree with that. I think Palestine should be a state that is recognized by all nations. That recognition of a state would help. I think it's the only solution for that, or else I think Palestinians won't have a home and Palestinians would then die [and] disappear from the world."
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
FILE: Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, Palestine - Date Unknown:
4. Various of flag of Palestine, traffic;
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
FILE: Brussels, Belgium - Dec 15, 2022:
5. Various of EU flags, buildings;
Brussels, Belgium - May 22, 2024:
6. SOUNDBITE (English) local resident (name not given):
"We should really learn about it, because a lot of people say that 'yes, we have to fight against what's the situation between Palestine and Israel and everything'. But there is a big past behind it, and I think we should all learn about it. So it's a kind of complicated issue, because yes, I want that Belgium helps Palestine, but there is also the issue with Egypt, and I think that all the countries that are beside Palestine should also help with the issue."
FILE: Brussels, Belgium - Nov 14, 2023:
7. Various of traffic.
