Call: Draw the red line. Belgium must act against genocide.

60.000 dead. Hundreds of thousands displaced. Families dying of hunger because aid is deliberately withheld. Hospitals bombed. Journalists and aid workers as targets. International law shattered.

What's happening in Gaza isn't a conflict. It's the collective punishment of a people. It's a genocide unfolding live on our phone screens.

And no government – including Belgium’s – should simply let this pass.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee will soon convene for a hearing. But an exchange of views isn't enough. What's needed are concrete sanctions.

We, the undersigned organizations and individuals, ask that our country unequivocally align itself with international law. That it choose humanity and moral courage. And that it not wait, but act now. Because genocide doesn't take a holiday.

We call on parliament and government to:

• to meet immediately in emergency session,
• to adopt a package of tough sanctions against the Israeli government,
• and draw a clear red line.

It's time for concrete action:

• Plead for the complete suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, including trade and academic & scientific cooperation.
• Enter a national ban on trade with Israeli settlements in occupied territories.
• Work on a comprehensive and effective arms embargo against Israel across the regions of our country.
• Impose sanctions against individuals, organisations and companies involved in war crimes and human rights violations.
• Recognize Palestine as a state, just as other countries will do.

What Belgium does matters. Our stance has consequences – for the Palestinians in Gaza, for the future of international law, for the defense of human rights, for our fundamental humanity.

In Spain, France, the Netherlands, and so many other countries, something is happening. Governments and parliaments are taking action. Belgium cannot and must not lag behind.

This is the time to be on the right side of history.

Not with words, but with actions.

Draw the red line.
Not.

Organizations

1. 11.11.11
2. ABVV
3. ACV
4. General Central ABVV
5. Aora Bv
6. Argos
7. Argos Willebroek
8. Doctors Without Vacation
9. Avansa Central Flanders
10. Avansa Limburg
11. Avansa Region Bruges
12. BA4P/BACBI
13. Battalion youth association
14. Belgian Poverty Reduction Network (BAPN)
15. Professional Association for Care Pastors
16. Movement.net
17. Boomtown
18. FOREST+
19. Brotherly Sharing
20. Cactus Music Center
21. Caritas International
22. CATAPA
23. CAW East Brabant
24. CGG North-West Flanders
25. Climaxi Vzw
26. Company Cordial
27. Congo villages
28. Curious Non-profit Organization
29. The Embassy
30. The Sound of Rose
31. The Mirror vzw
32. The Transformists
33. The Ferryman
34. Domus Medica
35. Another Jewish Voice
36. Entraide Et Fraternité
37. FABULOUS
38. Fairfin
39. Fairtrade Belgium
40. Fairwork Belgium
41. Firm
42. FOS
43. Free Clinic VZW
44. Gaza Group GCDG
45. Globelink VZW
46. Hand in Hand Against Racism Vzw
47. Integra
48. JoinForWater
49. Young Green Non-profit Organization
50. Caravan Vzw
51. Kazou
52. Knowledge Center for Welfare, Housing, Care VZW
53. Labo Vzw
54. Masereelfonds
55. Mechelenforpalestine
56. Memisa
57. Mobab
58. MSOC
59. MSOC Ghent
60. Music club Democrazy
61. Orbit VZW
62. Palestine Solidarity
63. Palestine Solidarity VZW
64. Pax Christi Flanders
65. Radio (Z)Onderdak
66. Rebelle
67. Rikolto Belgium VZW
68. Route 11
69. Psyche vzw
70. Samo
71. SAM, Support Center for People and Society
72. Scum Studios
73. Sensoa Vzw
74. SOS Gaza
75. Stream Media
76. Studio Globe
77. T Uilekot Vzw
78. Theater Malpertuis
79. Trias Belgium
80. UCOS
81. VAD Vzw
82. Association of Community Health Centers (VWGC)
83. Vermeylen Fund
84. VIA Don Bosco
85. Via Velo Palestina
86. Viva Salud
87. Flemish Institute for Healthy Living VZW
88. Flemish Network against Poverty
89. Flemish Patient Platform VZW
90. Flemish Youth Council
91. Flemish Council for the Elderly
92. Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen
93. Peace Non-profit Organization
94. Peace action
95. Women's Council
96. Non-profit organization 'T Kader
97. Non-profit organization Aan De Yser
98. Westhoek Vredeshoek
99. Botermarkt Neighborhood Health Center
100. Brugse Poort Community Health Centre
101. Daenshuis Community Health Center Aalst
102. De Kaai Community Health Centre
103. De Vaart Community Health Centre
104. Malpertuus Community Health Center
105. Community health center 'T Vlot
106. Vierkappes Non-profit Neighborhood Health Center
107. Youca
108. Younited Belgium vzw
109. Carenet-Icuro

Individuals (academics, academic staff & public figures)

1. Adam Ilke (Professor, Free University of Brussels)
2. Adriaens Dominique (Full Professor, Ghent University)
3. Aernouts Nele (Professor, VUB)
4. Ahaddour Chaïma (Professor, KU Leuven)
5. Annys Sofie (Postdoc, Ghent University)
6. Baele Anthe (Doctoral candidate, Ghent University)
7. Baert Jo (Honorary Chamber President, Council of State)
8. Bauwens Ann (Social nurse, Medical Social Reception Centre)
9. Beckers Tom (Full Professor, KU Leuven)
10. Bellinkx Vincent (post-doc, University of Antwerp)
11. Beutels Philippe (Professor, University of Antwerp)
12. Bogaert Koen (Professor, Ghent University)
13. Bols Sophie (Doctoral researcher, Ghent University)
14. Boubout Yassine (Activist and humanitarian)
15. Bougrea Anissa (doctoral researcher, Ghent University)
16. Bourabain Dounia (Professor, UHasselt)
17. Brems Eva (Professor of Human Rights, Ghent University)
18. Brendonck Luc (Full Professor, KU Leuven)
19. Buyse Evelien (Researcher, KU Leuven)
20. Campaign Judith (Doctoral student, Free University of Brussels)
21. Campens Sara (doctoral researcher, KU Leuven)
22. Cannoot Pieter (Professor, Ghent University)
23. Cantillon Bea (Emeritus professor, University of Antwerp)
24. Colebunders Robert (Emeritus Professor, University of Antwerp)
25. Coolsaet Rik (Professor Emeritus, Ghent University)
26. Cosemans Sara (Postdoctoral researcher, KU Leuven/FWO)
27. Craps Sofie (Postdoctoral researcher, KU Leuven)
28. Croughs Quinn (doctoral researcher, Ghent University)
29. D'Hooge Jan (Professor, KU Leuven)
30. D'Hooge Rudi (Full Professor, KU Leuven)
31. David Marc (Emeritus professor, University of Antwerp)
32. De Bie Tijl (Professor, Ghent University)
33. De Cauter Lieven (Emeritus professor, KU Leuven)
34. De Kort Hanne (Research Assistant Professor, KU Leuven)
35. The Maeseneer Jan (Prof. em. General Practice and Primary Care, Ghent University)
36. De Maesschalck Stephanie (Guest professor, general practitioner, Ghent University)
37. The Master Luc (Full Professor, KU Leuven)
38. De Munck Marlies (Doctoral Assistant Philosophy, University of Antwerp)
39. The Neve Stefaan (Professor, Ghent University)
40. Debruyne Pascal (Researcher and lecturer in asylum and migration, Odisee University College)
41. Steven Declerck (Part-time professor, KU Leuven)
42. Depaepe Fien (Professor, KU Leuven)
43. Desender Kobe (Assistant Professor, KU Leuven)
44. Desmet Lindsy (Postdoctoral Researcher in Theology, KU Leuven)
45. Destrooper Tine (Professor, Ghent University)
46. Dewitte Laura (Postdoctoral researcher, KU Leuven)
47. Dezutter Jessie (Professor of Geriatric Psychology, KU Leuven)
48. Dhaenens Frederik (Senior Lecturer, Ghent University)
49. Dhoest Alexander (Professor, University of Antwerp)
50. Diels Jan (Professor, KU Leuven)
51. Dincer Beyza Elif (doctoral researcher, Hasselt University & Université de Liège)
52. Duflou Veerle (Retired lecturer and PhD candidate, Ghent University)
53. Duval Els (Pediatric Intensivist, University of Antwerp)
54. Eggermont Steven (Dean of Social Sciences, KU Leuven)
55. Eisold Lee (Doctoral Researcher, KU Leuven)
56. El Abdellati Kawtar (doctoral researcher, University of Antwerp)
57. El Sghiar Hatim (Coordinator of Career Support for Postdoctoral Researchers, Ghent University)
58. Elen Jan (Researcher/lecturer, KU Leuven)
59. Ergin Suay (Doctoral Researcher, Ghent University)
60. Geukens Marie (Editor-in-Chief, MO*)
61. Ghesquière Pol (Full Professor of Orthopedagogics, KU Leuven)
62. Ghislain Katarine (Secretary, Ghent University)
63. Gielen Pascal (Full Professor, University of Antwerp)
64. Girenizli Bengisu (doctoral researcher, UHasselt)
65. Grossi Zoë (doctoral researcher, KU Leuven)
66. Gutwirth Serge (Prof. Em. Human Rights, VUB)
67. Haegeman Kiara (doctoral researcher, Ghent University)
68. Haesendonck Martine (Admin employee, KU Leuven)
69. Hendrickx Paul (Civil Servant/ATP, Ghent University)
70. Hendrix Sofie (Assistant, KU Leuven)
71. Herremans Brigitte (Researcher, Ghent University)
72. Heylen Freddy (Professor of Macroeconomics, Ghent University)
73. Hofman Geertrui (Department Secretary, Ghent University)
74. Hoorens Vera (Professor, KU Leuven)
75. Huyse Mark (Emeritus, KU Leuven)
76. Huyzentruyt Mona (doctoral researcher, University of Antwerp)
77. Jama Astrid (postdoctoral researcher, University of Antwerp)
78. Janssen Paul (Professor emeritus and honorary vice-rector, Hasselt University)
79. Janssens Ewald (Full Professor, KU Leuven)
80. Janssens de Bisthoven Luc (Coordinator of the CEBioS programme and visiting professor, Royal Belgian Institute for Nature Restoration and UHasselt)
81. Kelchtermans Geert (Full Professor, KU Leuven)
82. Kersemans Loes (General Practitioner, KU Leuven)
83. Lafit Ginette (Assistant professor, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven)
84. Liégeois Axel (Professor of Care Ethics, KU Leuven)
85. Maarten Loopmans (Prof. Geography, KU Leuven)
86. Mac Aoidh Colm (doctoral researcher, UHasselt)
87. Meers Philippe (Professor, University)
88. Mellas Selma (Researcher, UHasselt)
89. Mesquita Batja (Professor, KU Leuven)
90. Mestdagh Eline (Researcher, KU Leuven)
91. Meylaerts Reine (Professor, KU Leuven)
92. Miguel Kandolo Lieven (Chairman, Hand in Hand against Racism vzw)
93. Mortier Tobias (doctoral researcher, Ghent University)
94. Muchez Philippe (Professor, KU Leuven)
95. Nabha Racell (Professor, VUB)
96. Ng Souw Tjhoi ((Former VRT-) journalist)
97. Nolf Jan (Justice Watcher)
98. Nsayi Nadia (Writer)
99. Onkelinx Liv (Co-chair Young Green)
100. Op de Beeck Hans (Professor, KU Leuven)
101. Orbie Jan (Professor, Ghent University)
102. Paredis Erik (Professor, Ghent University)
103. Pauwels Luc (Prof. Em. Visual Sociology and Anthropology, University of Antwerp)
104. Pellens Britt (Researcher, LUCA School of Arts)
105. Pereira Lino (Professor, KU Leuven)
106. Phalet Karen (Full Professor, KU Leuven)
107. Poulain Maxime (Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Tübingen)
108. Raepsaet Charlotte (Research assistant)
109. Raes Filip (Professor of Psychology, KU Leuven)
110. Ramos Alicia (Postdoctoral researcher, KU Leuven)
111. Rayan Awad (author and social worker)
112. Reydams Daan (Co-Chairman Young Green)
113. Roels Lore (Doctoral researcher, Ghent University)
114. Rombouts Raoul (Doctoral researcher, Ghent University)
115. Ruyters Tino (Director, Free Clinic vzw)
116. Samaey Giovanni (Professor, KU Leuven)
117. Schaeken Walter (Professor, KU Leuven)
118. Schaubroeck Sarah (Doctoral researcher, Ghent University)
119. Schellekens Tine (Fellow Researcher - Clinical Psychologist, KU Leuven - Rapunzel vzw)
120. Sermeus Jan (Prof., KU Leuven)
121. Severijns Nathal (Prof., KU Leuven)
122. Shachar Itamar (Lecturer in Sociology, School of Social Sciences, UHasselt)
123. Simons Maarten (Professor, KU Leuven)
124. Sioen Marie (doctoral researcher, Ghent University)
125. Smet Mario (Professor, KU Leuven)
126. Smets Maxim (Doctoral researcher, KU Leuven)
127. Souza Queiroz Allan (Postdoctoral Lecturer & Researcher, Ghent University)
128. Steegen Martijn (Head of University Parish, KU Leuven)
129. Stolle Lien (Doctoral researcher, Ghent University)
130. Storms Gert (Full Professor, KU Leuven)
131. Stouten Jeroen (Professor of Organizational Psychology, KU Leuven)
132. Swinnen Wilfried (Medical Coordinator, MSOC Ghent)
133. Swinnen Peter (General Practitioner)
134. Tips Matthias (Policy Officer, KU Leuven)
135. Truwant Simon (University lecturer & author, KU Leuven & UGent)
136. Tuenter Emmy (Professor, University of Antwerp)
137. Steven Van Belleghem (Assistant professor, KU Leuven)
138. Van Broeck Leo (Prof. emeritus engineer-architect, KU Leuven)
139. Veerle Van de Velde (ATP, Ghent University)
140. Sarah Van de Velde (Professor of Sociology, University of Antwerp)
141. Van Delm Aurélie (Policy Adviser International Relations, KU Leuven)
142. Van den Bergh Jan (Researcher expert, Hasselt University)
143. Karolien from Den Bossche (HR internationalization, Ghent University)
144. Van den Bussche Eva (Professor, KU Leuven)
145. Van der Heyden Brent (Professor, Ghent University)
146. Van der Oord Saskia (Professor, KU Leuven)
147. Sabine Vandenplas (Faculty Director, KU Leuven)
148. From Deun Paul (Author)
149. Van Diest Ilse (Professor, KU Leuven)
150. Van Dooren Wim (Full Professor, KU Leuven)
151. Van Dyck Barbara (Senior researcher, Université Libre de Bruxelles)
152. Van Hecken Gert (Senior Lecturer, University of Antwerp)
153. Van Hoof Sarah (Professor, Ghent University)
154. Van Leeuwen Karla (professor, KU Leuven)
155. Van Nieuwenhuyse Stijn (Language Lecturer, Ghent University)
156. Van Overwalle Geertrui (Full Professor, KU Leuven)
157. Van Raemdonck An (Postdoc researcher, Ghent University)
158. From Riet Thomas (Lecturer, KU Leuven)
159. Van Roy Kaat (Researcher-educational supervisor, Ghent University)
160. Vandenabeele Joke (Senior Lecturer, KU Leuven)
161. Vandenhoeck Anne (Professor, KU Leuven)
162. Vandermeersche Geert (Professor, Free University of Brussels)
163. Vanham Guido (Prof. Em. Immunovirology ITG and UA, University of Antwerp)
164. Vankerckhoven Lore (doctoral researcher, KU Leuven)
165. Vanlerberghe Katrien (Doctoral researcher, Crime & Society Research Group (VUB))
166. Vantieghem Wendelien (Professor, Ghent University)
167. Verbist Flore (doctoral researcher, KU Leuven)
168. Vergauwen Lucia (professor, University of Antwerp)
169. Verhoeven Rudy (General Manager, CAW East Brabant)
170. Verschaeve Johannes (Musician)
171. Verschueren Karine (Professor, KU Leuven)
172. Verstrepen Kati (Chairman, League for Human Rights)
173. Verwee Ambroos (Doctoral Researcher, Free University of Brussels)
174. Flying Nicole (Professor, KU Leuven)
175. Volckaert Filip (Professor emeritus, KU Leuven)
176. Voorhoof Dirk (Prof. em., Human Rights Center Ghent University)
177. Vos Hendrik (Professor of European Politics, Ghent University)
178. Waeterloos Cato (Postdoctoral researcher, KU Leuven)
179. Warreyn Petra (Professor, Ghent University)
180. Wishful thinking Tom (Professor, KU Leuven)
181. Willaert Dominique (Author, SOS Gaza)
182. Willems Eva (Postdoctoral researcher, Ghent University)
183. Wils Kaat (Professor, KU Leuven)
184. Winter Anne (Professor of History, Free University of Brussels)
185. Zanoni Patrizia (Professor, Hasselt University)