GroenLinks-PvdA proposal for arms embargo on Israel met with surprise, fierce criticism
A GroenLinks-PvdA proposal for a complete arms embargo on Israel was met with surprise, resistance, and fierce criticism from other parties in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch parliament, NOS reports.
GL-PvdA parliamentarian Kati Piri proposed the arms embargo during a debate on Thursday. The party wants the Netherlands to specifically stop supplying parts for Israel’s air defense system, the Iron Dome. The left-wing party’s turn to more extreme measures against Israel came last week when Israel started bombing Iran, thereby escalating the conflict in the Middle East “recklessly,” according to party leader Frans Timmermans.
The air defense system has made Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu feel “invulnerable” to retaliation, so he is attacking other countries in the Middle East with impunity, Timmermans said. “We have to find a way to show Netanyahu that he is on the wrong path, has to de-escalate, and has to sit at the negotiation table.”
The right-wing parties in the Tweede Kamer called the proposal “bizarre and unwise” (VVD), “crazy, indefensible, and extremely dangerous” (BBB), and “too bizarre for words” (SGP). The NSC said the proposal “shocked” the party “to death.” The PVV said: “Their hatred of Israel and growing anti-Semitism knows no bounds.”
The center parties are also against the Netherlands stopping the supply of parts to the Israeli air defense system. ChristenUnie called it “completely irresponsible,” and the CDA found it “very unwise.” Even the progressive Volt said that a complete arms embargo “goes a step too far.”
According to the Tweede Kamer, innocent Israeli citizens will be in danger if Israel can no longer defend itself against attacks. Almost all parties believe the Netherlands should do more to stop the Israeli government’s violence, but an arms embargo is going too far.
The Tweede Kamer voted by roll call on the GL-PvdA proposal and, as expected, it did not achieve a majority. 99 MPs voted against, 35 in favor. In addition to GL-PvdA, SP, DENK, and PvdD also supported the plans.
The right-wing parties will almost certainly seize this proposal to paint GroenLinks-PvdA and Timmermans as “radical” in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Timmermans seemed unconcerned when NOS asked him about this. “This is not the first time that they have called me radical, and they can do it another 10,000 times,” he said.
