Belgium condemns violence in Gaza, calls for int'l investiga

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel and Foreign Minister Didier Reynders on Tuesday condemned the ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip, and called for an international investigation by the United Nations to solve the problem.

"I condemn this violence, which is totally unacceptable. I will have the opportunity tonight to meet the Secretary-General of the United Nations. I will plead for an international investigation. There can be no impunity. There are rules in international law", said Michel.

"Yesterday's violence blatantly reminds us that only the solution of two states living peacefully side by side can bring lasting peace and security for Israel, Palestine and neighboring countries in the region," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in press statement.

"It is becoming increasingly urgent to restart the peace process in the Middle East. A decision on the status of Jerusalem, which is ideally destined to become the shared capital of two sovereign states, must depend on negotiations between the two parties concerned. Belgium, with its European partners, will continue to denounce all unilateral acts that go against a two-state negotiated solution living side by side in peace, security and mutual recognition," the statement added.

Reynders announced Tuesday that he will be summoning Simona Frankel, Israel's ambassador to Belgium, over remarks she made about Palestinian terrorists.

Frankel had said on Belgian broadcaster RTBF: "I really regret the loss of each human being who died, whatever their nationality, even if they are terrorists."

"They are all (terrorists)," Frankel said when asked to clarify. "Look at the people who take a baby toward a fence. These are not peaceful demonstrators."

On Tuesday evening, over 850 people gathered in front of the Brussels Central Station to protest and denounce the atrocities that occurred Monday in Gaza, according to an estimate provided by the Brussels-Ixelles police station.