Dutch Ministry seeks answers after Israeli forces fire near diplomatic delegation

The Dutch government has expressed deep concern over recent developments involving Israel, including a large protest in The Hague against the Dutch cabinet’s policy on Israel and a recent shooting incident involving Dutch diplomats in the occupied West Bank.

Prime Minister Dick Schoof acknowledged the widespread worry among the Dutch public about the situation in Gaza. “The large demonstration against the cabinet’s policy regarding Israel showed there are really a lot of people in the Netherlands who are concerned about developments in Gaza,” Schoof said. Speaking from Brussels, he added, “If you see the images from Gaza, the catastrophic developments, no one can remain unaffected. Not even me. What is happening in Gaza is simply terrible.”

Schoof reiterated the government’s position, aligned with Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp’s earlier statements. “The blockade of humanitarian aid and the denial of medical assistance violate international law. We have always condemned that. We repeatedly call on Israel to lift that blockade,” he said. Schoof noted that he had spoken with Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog during the pope’s inauguration in Rome on the same day as the protest in The Hague, emphasizing the Dutch concern directly to him.

Foreign Minister Veldkamp responded swiftly to the shooting incident Wednesday involving Dutch diplomats visiting a Palestinian refugee camp in Jenin, West Bank, AD reported. “I am glad that they and others were unharmed. Diplomats should be able to do their work without threats, and threatening them is unacceptable,” Veldkamp said.

The Israeli military fired warning shots on the diplomatic group, which included a Dutch diplomat and a local driver employed by the Dutch Foreign Ministry. The soldiers claimed the delegation deviated from an approved route and entered a restricted area. The Israeli army expressed regret over the incident and announced it would consult with the diplomats involved.

Dutch opposition leader Rob Jetten of D66 sharply criticized the Israeli government’s actions, stating, “In Gaza, on the West Bank, and now against diplomats — the Netanyahu government crosses all boundaries. A simple request for clarification from the minister is really insufficient. The Israeli ambassador should be summoned immediately.”

The Palestinian Authority condemned the Israeli soldiers’ actions as a “horrific act” and stated the shots were fired to intimidate the diplomats. Videos released by the Palestinian Authority showed soldiers aiming weapons at the delegation, which included ambassadors from the European Union, China, the UK, Spain, Turkey, the Netherlands, France, and other countries.

European countries including Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, and Turkey have all called for investigations and demanded explanations from Israel, with some summoning Israeli representatives to their foreign ministries. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres labeled the shooting “unacceptable,” emphasizing diplomats’ right to safety while carrying out their work.