Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Over Israel Policy Dispute

Kokcha News Agency: The Dutch interim government’s Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, from the New Social Contract Party (NSC), announced his resignation after facing opposition from other cabinet parties and ministers regarding increased sanctions against Israel. Veldkamp stated that he could not continue his duties due to pressure from cabinet members against implementing additional measures in response to the situation in Gaza City and the West Bank.

Following a cabinet meeting, Veldkamp told reporters, “As a cabinet, we have already taken a series of steps (against Israel). The Netherlands should not be ashamed of this. However, I felt pressure from those in the cabinet not to apply more measures due to what is happening in Gaza City and the West Bank.”

Veldkamp expressed that the pressure from other ministers and parties made it impossible for him to perform his duties. He added, “I have no confidence that this situation will change in the coming months and years. Now I’m going home to write my resignation letter.”

According to reports from public broadcaster NOS, citing NSC sources, other NSC ministers in the government also decided to resign following Veldkamp’s departure. In addition to Veldkamp, the interim government included 1 deputy prime minister, 3 ministers, and 4 state ministers from the NSC.

Veldkamp had advocated for stricter measures and sanctions against Israel during parliamentary discussions yesterday and today. However, coalition partners VVD (People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy) and BBB (Farmer-Citizen Movement) stated that Veldkamp’s proposal for additional measures against Israel had not been discussed with them.