Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli slammed Belgium on Sunday after Brussels moved to block the transit of military equipment bound for Israel.

In a post on X, Chikli accused Belgium of aligning itself with Israel�s adversaries, using unusually blunt language to condemn the decision.

�The Islamic Republic of Belgium strikes again,� Chikli wrote about a royal decree banning stopovers for flights transporting arms to Israel. �I would say this decision is disappointing, but in Belgium�s case I have no expectations,� he added.

Chikli�s remarks followed a statement from Hamas welcoming the Belgian move, which the group described as a ban on arms shipments to �the Zionist entity.� Israeli officials have cited the praise from Hamas as evidence that the decision is being viewed in Jerusalem as a political victory for Israel�s enemies.

Belgium�s move comes against the backdrop of a broader deterioration in relations between Israel and several European governments since the war in Gaza began.

In December, Belgium joined South Africa�s case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of committing �genocide� in Gaza.

Earlier, in September, Belgium formally recognized a Palestinian state, further straining ties with Jerusalem and placing Brussels among a growing number of European capitals taking steps rewarding Hamas and undermining Israeli security.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)