Dutch Parliament rejects recognition of Palestinian state

On August 23, Dutch lawmakers voted down a motion to recognise an independent Palestinian state, as well as proposals for punitive measures against Israel, deepening political turmoil within the Netherlands’ caretaker government.

The rejected measures included boycotting goods from illegally occupied West Bank settlements and banning weapons purchases from Israel, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The votes came less than 24 hours after Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp resigned in protest at the government’s reluctance to impose tougher sanctions on Israel over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. His resignation was followed by the departure of fellow members of the centrist New Social Contract (NSC) party, further straining the already fragile government. The coalition collapsed in June after Geert Wilders’ far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) walked out over disagreements on migration policy.

Parliament did, however, adopt a resolution urging Israel to allow international and domestic journalists into Gaza, and called for “maximum pressure” on countries accused of sheltering Hamas leaders, Dutch media reported.

According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, more than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its assault on the enclave following Hamas’ October 2023 attack. The United Nations has recently declared a famine in Gaza.

By Khagan Isayev