NSC ministers resign after Foreign Minister Veldkamp quits over blocked Israel sanctions

All ministers and state secretaries from Nieuw Sociaal Contract (NSC) resigned on Friday after Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp quit in protest over blocked sanctions against Israel, NOS reported.

Veldkamp announced his resignation after a tense ministerial meeting, saying he could not carry out the foreign policy he deemed necessary in response to Israel’s latest military offensive in Gaza City and the approval of new settlement plans in the West Bank.

“We have as a cabinet already taken quite a number of steps. The Netherlands does not have to be ashamed of that. But I felt resistance in the cabinet against further measures in connection with what is happening in Gaza City and on the West Bank,” Veldkamp told reporters after the meeting. “I have insufficient confidence that in the coming weeks or months that will be different, if I am so limited in my space to conduct the policy that I consider necessary. I am going home to write a resignation letter.”

His decision came one day after he told the Tweede Kamer he would introduce additional measures against Israel, calling them “necessary” in a letter to lawmakers. That pledge had not been coordinated with coalition partners. The VVD and BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB) reportedly opposed new steps, leaving Veldkamp isolated.

Within hours of his resignation, all NSC members of the caretaker cabinet followed suit, including Deputy Prime Minister and Social Affairs Minister Eddy van Hijum, Interior Minister Judith Uitermark, Education Minister Eppo Bruins, and Health Minister Daniëlle Jansen, who had only taken office this summer after the PVV ministers resigned.

State secretaries Teun Struycken (Legal Protection), Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen (Taxes), Sandra Palmen (Allowances), and Hanneke Boerma (Foreign Trade) also stepped down. Boerma, like Jansen, had only served a few months.

Caretaker Prime Minister Dick Schoof confirmed in the Tweede Kamer that the entire NSC contingent had quit. “We have to respect these decisions, but we very much regret them, especially in light of the responsibility that the cabinet has in this demissionary phase,” Schoof said.

The crisis erupted as the Tweede Kamer debated possible responses to the conflict in Gaza. A majority of lawmakers declared that “the Islamic terrorist organization Hamas must be totally destroyed” and must “play no role whatsoever” in Gaza’s future. They demanded maximum pressure on countries that shield Hamas leaders.

But proposals from opposition parties — backed by NSC — to boycott goods from Israeli settlements, recognize the Palestinian state, or ban Dutch arms purchases from Israel failed to pass.

The chamber reportedly did agree to urge Israel to allow international and domestic journalists and observers into Gaza. Brekelmans promised to raise the settlement boycott issue at the European level and said a unilateral Dutch ban could still be considered if that fails.

VVD and BBB denied blocking sanctions outright, reportedly insisting negotiations were ongoing when NSC pulled out. “NSC called itself the party of good governance but now leaves the Netherlands rudderless,” BBB said in a statement. The VVD wrote on X that it was “very surprised that NSC suddenly leaves the cabinet.”

Nine departing caretaker ministers and state secretaries from NSC were given honorable discharges by King Willem-Alexander on Friday. Their ministries will now be temporarily run by colleagues from the remaining VVD and BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB) parties.

Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans (VVD) has taken over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Justice Minister David van Weel (VVD) is taking the responsibility for the Ministry of the Interior. Climate and Green Growth Minister Sophie Hermans (VVD) is taking over the Ministry of Education.

Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Social Affairs Mona Keijzer (BBB) is covering the Ministry of Social Affairs. Infrastructure and Water Management Minister Robert Tieman (BBB) is managing the Ministry of Health.

The government said Saturday that this arrangement is temporary, noting it is nearly impossible for ministers to run two ministries at once.

Lawmakers will reconvene Wednesday to address the political fallout. Parliament has again cut short its summer recess, which officially runs until September 1.

The resignations also forced Schoof to cancel a planned trip to Kyiv, where he was to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and discuss peace efforts with Russia.