King Philippe calls the situation in Gaza a ‘disgrace to humanity’

King Philippe of Belgium has called the humanitarian situation in Gaza “a disgrace to humanity.”

It was the first time the Belgian King had spoken out like this about the conflict, although he did not specifically mention Israel.

“I join everyone who denounces the serious humanitarian abuses in Gaza, where innocent civilians, trapped in their enclave, are starving and succumbing to bombs,” the King said in his annual speech ahead of Belgium’s national day. He also called for an immediate end to the “unbearable crisis.”

King Philippe spoke of a meeting he had with a Palestinian and an Israeli father who had both lost a child. He said, “I was overwhelmed by their testimony. They have put aside their feelings of revenge and chosen to transform their suffering into a message of peace.”

The Flemish Forum of Jewish Organisations had criticism about the speech. They do not understand why King Philippe did not also mention the terrorist attack of October 2023 and the hostages who are still held in Gaza.

A statement from them reads, “Since that horrific day, dozens of hostages are still in the Gaza tunnels, where they are being held in inhumane conditions. For them and their families, every day that passes in silence is one too many.”