​​​​​​​ATHENS

A majority of Belgians want sanctions against Israel, according to a survey released Wednesday by a major NGO coalition.

The Coalition of the North-South Movement in Flanders (of Belgium) in a statement said 54% of Belgians support the EU and Belgium imposing sanctions on Israel while 14% oppose.

A total of 73% of respondents also support an immediate and permanent cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and nearly half want an immediate end to trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestine territories.

“While genocide is taking place in Gaza, the loudest outrage is not coming from world leaders, but from ordinary citizens. The calls for a ceasefire, sanctions and a strong defense of human rights are louder than ever before,” said coalition director Els Hertogen about the findings.

“It is high time that the international community makes it clear that war crimes and genocide do not go unpunished,” she added.

Israel has continued a devastating offensive on Gaza since a Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023. The onslaught has killed nearly 43,400 people and rendered the enclave almost uninhabitable.

Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the blockaded enclave.