"I join all those who denounce the grave humanitarian abuses in Gaza where innocent civilians - trapped in their enclave - are dying of hunger and perishing under the bombs. The current situation has gone far too long. This is a disgrace to humanity," the Belgian monarch said.
"We support the call of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to immediately put an end to this unbearable crisis,” he added.
Foreign media noted that this is the king’s strongest statement yet on the conflict. Previous royal remarks on the Middle East and Israel's actions were far more cautious.
Belgium marks its National Day on July 21, commemorating the day in 1831 when King Leopold I took the oath and became the country’s first monarch, a year after Belgium gained independence from the Netherlands.
Belgium marks National Day in Brussels. The Royal Family of Belgium, Princess Eleonore, Prince Gabriel, Queen Mathilde, King Philippe, Princess Elisabeth, and Prince Emmanuel, descend the stairs of St. Michael & St. Gudula Cathedral after the Te Deum Mass celebrating Belgium’s National Day in Brussels, 21 July 2025. Photo: OLIVIER MATTHYS/PAP/EPA
Monday’s celebrations include concerts, street festivals, a military parade in the afternoon, and a drone and fireworks show in the evening.
Polish diplomats send National Day greetings to Belgium
Poland's Foreign Ministry extended warm wishes to Belgium on its National Day.
On Monday afternoon, the head of Polish diplomacy, Radosław Sikorski, took to soial media to remind the ublic that "Poland is among the 25 countries shaken by the suffering of Gaza's civilian population."
His words were a response to a comment made by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who clearly stated: "The UK message is clear: the war in Gaza must end now."
Two Israeli soldiers arrested in Belgium over suspected war crimes in Gaza
According to The Jerusalem Post, two Israeli soldiers were arrested in Belgium during the Tomorrowland music festival, held in the town of Boom in the Flanders region.
The arrests are reportedly linked to suspicions of their involvement in war crimes committed in the Gaza Strip. The information was confirmed on Monday by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Just days before the Tomorrowland festival began in mid-July, a fire broke out on the main stage, destroying the entire structure. The event was salvaged thanks to the help of the band Metallica, which provided staging elements from its ongoing tour.
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Belgian Royal Palace/IAR/X/@PolandMFA/@Jerusalem_Post/@tomorrowland/@sikorskiradek