'Disgrace': Belgian king uses national holiday speech to draw attention to Gaza crisis

Belgium’s King Philippe used this year’s national holiday speech to draw attention to the crisis in Gaza, calling it "a disgrace to all of humanity".

On the eve of 21 July, Belgium’s national holiday, it is tradition for the king to give a speech addressed to citizens. This year, King Philippe focused on current world conflicts and drew special attention to Palestine.

“For decades, international law has been the cornerstone on which states could rely,” he said in his address.

“Today, it is being openly challenged. But when international law is flouted, the whole world loses out. Instability and violence are given free rein.”

Stopping short of using the word genocide, the king referred to "serious humanitarian abuses" and said he fully supported those speaking out against them.

“Innocent people are dying of hunger and being buried by rubble from bombings, suffocating in their enclave,” he said.

“The current situation has gone on for too long. It is a disgrace to the whole of humanity. We support the United Nations secretary-general's call for an immediate end to this unsustainable crisis.”

King Philippe said he had met two fathers, one Palestinian and one Israeli, both of whom lost a child in the war.

“I was deeply moved by their testimony,” the king said. “They’ve renounced all thoughts of revenge and chosen to carry a message of peace. A peace that would ease their suffering. These fathers remind us that, beyond the political dimension, it is always human dignity that is at stake.”

The king called on listeners to heed the example set by the two grieving fathers.

“The world is experiencing a resurgence of conflicts that we thought belonged to a bygone era,” he said.

“In this context, Europe continues to choose cooperation over confrontation. The choice of openness rather than exclusion. It is a remarkable choice, sometimes difficult, and one that requires courage.”

The king also spoke of the ongoing war in Ukraine, praising the Ukrainian people for resisting the Russian invasion but calling on Europe to do more to help.

“Europe must further assert its leadership,” the King said.

“It must establish itself as a bulwark and a reliable alternative to the brutal power struggle we are witnessing today. It must remain faithful to its values: democracy, justice and the rule of law.”

King Philippe also added a call for the urgent formation of a government in Brussels, which has lagged painfully behind schedule as politicians continue to bicker.

“It’s urgent that a new government finally gets to work,” the king said.