A prominent Belgium-based Jewish group on Wednesday criticized that country’s foreign minister for evoking “genocide” when speaking about Israel, calling it inappropriate, incompatible with official policy and possibly a sign of inexperience.

European Jewish Association director Rabbi Menachem Margolin’s scathing criticism of Maxime Prévot was in connection to the minister’s unusual remarks on Tuesday, which his party said represented its official position.

Asked by Humo magazine whether Israel’s actions in the war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip amounted to genocide, Prévot used the term without stating outright that Israel was engaged in it, and attempted to distinguish between his personal convictions and his official capacity.