Dutch foreign minister resigns over dispute on Israel policy

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp resigned late on August 22, citing political deadlock over what he described as the need for tougher measures against Israel.

Veldkamp announced his departure after accusing ministers from the liberal People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and the populist Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB) of blocking new steps against Israel that he considered essential in connection with what is happening in Gaza City and the West Bank, Caliber.Az reports via Politico. 

His exit prompted colleagues from the centrist New Social Contract (NSC) party, of which he is a member, to follow him out of the caretaker government. The country is scheduled to hold its next general election on October 29.

The Dutch government had already collapsed on June 3, when Geert Wilders’ far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) withdrew from the coalition over migration policy, leaving the administration in caretaker mode.

Following hours of fruitless debate in parliament on August 22 over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Veldkamp told lawmakers in the evening that he had “insufficient confidence” he would have “the space in the coming weeks, months, or even a year to chart the course I deem necessary.”

NSC leader Nicolien van Vroonhoven said the party had signaled its demand for change. “The situation has to improve,” she said. “It didn’t. So now steps are being taken.”

Deputy Prime Minister Eddy van Hijum echoed that view, stressing Veldkamp’s determination to adopt stronger measures.

“In short, we’re done with it … Veldkamp felt the need for additional measures against the Israeli government very strongly, but the brakes were constantly applied,” he said.

Prime Minister Dick Schoof expressed regret over NSC’s withdrawal from the Cabinet in a late-night address to parliament.

“We must respect these decisions, but we deeply regret them — especially in light of the responsibility the cabinet bears in this caretaker phase,” he said.

The BBB, one of the coalition’s two remaining partners alongside the VVD, criticised NSC’s decision, warning it left the country in disarray.

“While the talks were still ongoing, they walked away, leaving chaos in their wake,” the party said in a statement.

Veldkamp, a former ambassador to Israel, announced his resignation on the same day a United Nations-backed food security body declared a famine in Gaza, coinciding with Israel’s renewed military offensive in the besieged strip.

By Sabina Mammadli