Belgian FM cancels visit to Israel

Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders canceled his upcoming visit to Israel and Palestine, set for 5-8 December, following Tel Aviv’s decision to suspend all contacts with Europe due to the regional conflict, the ministry said in a statement.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Israeli Foreign Ministry to cut all contacts with EU institutions and representatives.

Netanyahu cancelled his meeting with Reynders to protest Belgium’s support for the EU’s decision to label Israeli goods from beyond the Green Line.

"Following the decision by the Prime Minister of Israel to suspend contacts with the European Union on the Middle East peace process, and considering the impact of this decision on the program of the visit of Didier Reynders, the latter confirmed this Tuesday morning to the Ambassador of Israel in Belgium his decision to postpone his visit to a later date," added the statement.

Reynders was set for a three-day visit to Israel and Palestine starting on Saturday.

Sources: MENA