Netherlands won't put more pressure on Israel to let food into Gaza
Minister Caspar Veldkamp of Foreign Affairs does not intend to increase the pressure on Israel to allow food into Gaza. In a parliamentary debate on Tuesday, he made clear that the Dutch government intends to continue the diplomatic path when dealing with Israel, NOS reports.
Last week, Veldkamp asked the European Union to investigate whether Israel was violating a treaty between the EU and Israel by not respecting human rights and democratic principles. He referred to Israel continuing to block humanitarian aid into Gaza and planning to expand the war into the Palestinian territory. Veldkamp plans to await that investigation before considering further steps.
Opposition parties like GroenLinks-PvdA, D66, CDA, Volt, SP, DENK, and PvdD believe the Dutch government is abandoning the people of Gaza to famine. They want the Netherlands to impose an arms embargo and sanctions on Israel. “Initiating an investigation via the European Union takes too long for the people who are being starved,” said SP parliamentarian Sarah Dobbe.
The critical opposition attacked the coalition parties VVD and NSC, in particular. Anti-Islam Geert Wilders and his PVV are known loyal supporters of Israel. So is the BBB, if to a lesser extent.
VVD parliamentarian Eric van der Burg was under fire for a long time. Opposition parties repeatedly asked him to make concrete proposals to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe Israel is causing in Gaza. “There is nothing we can do now to allow trucks to enter Gaza,” Van der Burg said. “If the Cabinet comes up with effective measures, I will support them.”
An irritated Van der Burg also accused the opposition parties of ignoring Hamas’ role. "We have different opinions about how it should stop. It bothers me that everyone is focusing on Israel. Hamas is the main culprit in this conflict," he said.
The war in Gaza started when Hamas committed terrorist attacks in Israel on 7 October 2023, killing 1,139 people. Since then, Israel has killed over 51,157 people in Gaza, including at least 17,400 children, Al Jazeera reported based on figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Health from April 20. At least 116,724 people are hurt, and thousands are missing under the rubble, presumed dead. Israel’s bombings continue unabated, while it has also cut off Gaza from any aid and electricity. Around 290,000 children are “on the brink of death” from starvation, Gaza’s Government Media Office (GMO) said last week.
Van der Burg got support from the conservative Christian SGP, the only party other than the PVV to still unconditionally support the Benjamin Netanyahu government. “If Hamas now releases hostages, the emergency aid can just come in,” SGP MP Chris Stoffer said.
The NSC is also against sanctions, calling it “a nuclear option” that will break diplomatic ties with Israel.
D66 parliamentarian Jan Paternotte thinks the government and coalition are wrong to still stick to diplomacy only. “We see that what the Minister has done so far has had no effect. What will have a real effect, the NSC finds unnecessary,” he said.
Veldkamp repeatedly stressed that the Netherlands has to work with other EU Member States. “The Netherlands is a small country on the North Sea and cannot simply achieve anything, especially in the difficult situation in the Middle East,” he said.
There was a brief commotion in the debate when PVV parliamentarian Raymond de Roon spoke of the “so-called” impending famine in Gaza. “Where are those famine deaths then?” he wanted to know.
GroenLinks-PvdA MP Kati Piri called the PVV politician’s words “a new low.” D66 MP Paternotte wondered what this would do to the stability of the coalition.
“I distance myself from this on behalf of the VVD,” Van der Burg quickly responded.
