Dutch gov't concerned about Israel banning UN Gaza-aid organization

The Dutch government has finally expressed concerns about Israel banning the United Nations aid agency UNRWA, focused on providing aid to the people in the Gaza Strip. Without the UNRWA, the already limited supply of aid would come to a near halt. Minister Caspar Veldkamp of Foreign Affairs (NSC) said that he conveyed his concern to his Israeli counterpart. Minister Reinette Klever for Development Aid (PVV) said the Netherlands would continue to provide support, NOS reports.

“The loss of aid and services is currently having a negative impact on the already worrying situation, especially in Gaza,” Veldkamp said on Wednesday. “We urge Israel to carefully consider its international obligations and the consequences for the area before taking further steps.”

The Dutch government’s response comes days after the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, passed two laws on Monday that would make it impossible for the UNRWA to provide aid from Israeli territory.

Israel is still attacking Gaza daily and the people trapped in the territory are desperate for help. “In Gaza, many people sleep in self-built tents made of plastic sheeting full of holes, held together by branches,” Harm Goossens, chairman of the Dutch Red Cross, said during a fundraising campaign. Israel is also in charge of the Gaza Strip’s borders and hardly anyone has been able to get out of the bombarded area since the Israeli government closed the border between Gaza and Egypt in May.

Development Aid Minister Klever also expressed her concerns about the progress of humanitarian aid in Gaza on Wednesday. “The Netherlands will continue to provide aid through various channels,” she said, reiterating the government’s position for an immediate ceasefire and for Hamas to release the Israeli hostages taken during the attack that escalated the conflict on 7 October 2023.

The Dutch government’s response only came after GroenLinks-PvdA leader Frans Timmermans criticized it for saying nothing on Tuesday. “This gross violation of international law must not be tolerated silently,” he said. “Shameful and unworthy of our country.”

The laws banning the UNRWA will take effect within three months. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised he would use that time to set up aid through other organizations like UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and the World Food Program. Many countries strongly doubt that this will actually happen.

The Dutch government endorses Israel’s wish to give more aid organizations a bigger role in Gaza but stresses that as long as this is not the case, the UNRWA must be able to do its work, according to NOS. Klever plans to transfer the agreed 19 million euros to the UNRWA next year as planned.