Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever announced recognition of a Palestinian state. In a speech at the French-Saudi conference during the UN General Assembly meeting, he said the move comes in response to "recent statements by Israeli ministers, including the Prime Minister, that 'a Palestinian state will never be established.'" According to him, these statements are "another reason to reaffirm the right and need of the Palestinian people for their own state, and therefore Belgium is sending a strong political and diplomatic signal to the world as it joins the group of countries that declare recognition of the State of Palestine." However, he noted: "The move cannot be a reward for Hamas. Aware of the trauma caused after the terrorist attack on October 7, Belgium will proceed with legal recognition of Palestine only after all hostages are released and terrorist organizations are removed from the government."