Netherlands overjoyed by UN resolution for ceasefire in Gaza, Minister says

Outgoing Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot is overjoyed by the resolution on a ceasefire in Gaza, which the UN Security Council adopted on Monday. “It is now important that there is an immediate ceasefire,” she said on X. “The Netherlands calls on all parties to comply immediately. This is crucial for the release of hostages and for substantially more humanitarian aid for the people in Gaza.” The Netherlands also promised aid to Gaza.

The resolution is an initiative of the United States and was announced by President Joe Biden on May 31. He said Israel had agreed to the plan, which includes an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip. 14 of the 15 members of the UN Security Council voted in favor of the US call on Hamas and Israel. Russia abstained.

The Dutch government has reserved 3 million euros for the United Nations Organization for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA). It is the first Dutch promise of money to the aid organization since it became discredited at the beginning of this year. The Netherlands set several conditions for the aid, outgoing Minister Liesje Schreinemacher (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) wrote in a letter to parliament.

In January, Israel said that 12 UNRWA personnel in Gaza were involved in the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7. The Netherlands and many other countries suspended aid to the organization. The United Nations launched an independent investigation led by the former French Minister Catherine Colonna.

The investigation concluded in April that Israel’s allegations were not substantiated by any evidence. The researchers made 50 recommendations, including about the neutrality of staff, trade unions, and education (material). The UNRWA pledged to adopt all of these, drew up an action plan, and set up a team to monitor implementation.

Schreinemacher only wants to commit the money once these recommendations have been followed.

The money is part of a package of 13 million euros in humanitarian aid to Gaza that Schreinemacher promised on Monday. The remaining 10 million euros will be distributed among the World Health Organization (€3 million), the International Labor Organization (€4 million), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (€3 million).

“The Netherlands is committed to diversifying aid in order to be less dependent on a single organization in the future and thus strengthen the broader aid system,” the Minister wrote to parliament.