Valerie Van Peel: “No symbolic politics—what we need is action”

Last week, party chair Valerie Van Peel appeared on VTM News to discuss the situation in Gaza. She reiterated that the N-VA supports a two-state solution, including the recognition of Palestine. “But first, the war must end. Humanitarian aid must be allowed in. That’s the priority—right now.”

What bothers Valerie Van Peel is not so much the content of the debate in Belgium, but the tone. “The situation in Gaza is appalling. What we need isn’t posturing or politics of perception—we need action. And that’s what I often find lacking.”

Pressure, sanctions, and concrete steps

“What does action require? Pressure—at the European level. Diplomatic and political pressure. To send a clear message to Israel: ‘Enough is enough. The war must end. Humanitarian aid must be allowed in.’”

Van Peel has long been calling for concrete sanctions.
“But many of those decisions have to be made at the European level. Some measures require unanimity—and sadly, that’s lacking. I’ve been saying this for months—and I’m not the only one. For other measures, unanimity isn’t needed. As far as we’re concerned, countries that are ready to move forward, should do so. That discussion is coming up in Europe in the next few weeks. Belgium must be part of that. We need to align our positions.”

“I condemn Israel without hesitation. But I also condemn Hamas.”

The party chair is clear in her stance:
“I have no hesitation in condemning Israel for what they’re doing in Gaza today. But some people take issue with the fact that we also say it’s legitimate to put pressure on a terrorist organisation like Hamas. As if condemning Hamas and condemning Israel couldn’t go hand in hand. Well—they can. You can want to neutralise Hamas, just not in the way it’s happening now.”

She reiterates that the N-VA has long supported a two-state solution, including recognition of Palestine.
“Unfortunately, we’re further from that goal today than ever before. And that’s tragic. What the Palestinian people need isn’t political games—but real action. Humanitarian aid. Diplomatic pressure and sanctions directed at Israel.”

“We are a Western democracy. Israel claims to be one as well. That gives us a duty to hold them accountable—to remind them that what they are doing now has nothing to do with democracy and crosses every line of warfare. That’s our role. Just like in so many other conflicts around the world. This one is no different. And it’s a responsibility I am ready to take on,” Van Peel concluded.