August 23, 2025 | 02:40 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp has resigned after failing to gain cabinet support for additional sanctions against Israel for its military onslaught in Gaza. Veldkamp, a member of the center-right New Social Contract party, said on Friday, August 22, 2025, that he failed to reach an agreement on sanctions against Israel. He repeatedly faced resistance from his colleagues for taking a tough stance on Israel.
One of Veldkamp's efforts was to ban entry for right-wing Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir. He argued that both were inciting settler violence against Palestinians.
Veldkamp also revoked three export permits for naval vessel components and warned about the deteriorating conditions in Gaza. “I also see what is happening on the ground in Gaza, the attack on Gaza City, and what is happening in the West Bank, the building decision for the disputed settlement E1, and East Jerusalem,” Veldkamp said as cited by Al Jazeera.
Veldkamp's resignation left the Netherlands without a foreign minister. This comes at a time when the European Union is seeking security assurances for Ukraine and continuing discussions with the United States on tariffs.
Following his resignation, all ministers from the New Social Contract party and state secretaries unanimously supported Veldkamp. They also resigned from the caretaker government as a show of solidarity.
Netherlands' Support for Israel
The Netherlands has imposed limited sanctions against Israel. Nevertheless, the Netherlands still supports the supply chain of F-35 fighter jets to Israel.
Based on research by the Palestinian Youth Movement, in June, ships carrying F-35 components often docked at the Rotterdam port, operated by the Danish shipping company, Maersk. The F-35 jets have been used by Israel in airstrikes in Gaza, which have destroyed a large part of Gaza City and caused the deaths of over 62,000 people since October 2023.
Earlier this week, the Netherlands joined 20 other countries in condemning Israel's approval of the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank. The Netherlands deemed the action unacceptable and contrary to international law.
Pro-Palestine Demonstrations
TRT reported that protests in the Netherlands in support of Palestine continue. In The Hague, about 100,000 to 150,000 people demanded sanctions and humanitarian access for people in Gaza.
The Dutch government collapsed in June when anti-Islam parliament member Geert Wilders withdrew from the four-party coalition in the country due to disputes over immigration. The remaining three parties continue to uphold the interim government until general elections can be held in October.
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