Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns in Protest over Gaza Events
According to the English section of webangah news agency, citing Mehr News Agency and Sky News Arabia, Dutch Foreign minister caspar Veldkamp resigned Friday night.
The decision came after a heated debate within the government over possible sanctions against israel.
In a statement, Veldkamp said, “I have concluded that I am not in a position to take further notable actions to pressure Israel.”
The Foreign Minister had expressed his intention Thursday to implement new measures against Israel.
Earlier, in July, the Dutch government declared far-right Interior Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel smotrich as “undesirable persons.”
The Netherlands was also among 21 countries that issued a joint statement Thursday condemning an extensive plan for settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank as “unacceptable and contrary to international law.”
According to Veldkamp, his proposals for increased pressure on Israel “were seriously discussed but met with opposition during multiple cabinet sessions.”
He added that he no longer has sufficient confidence in his ability to continue as foreign minister in the coming weeks and months, prompting his resignation.
This development coincides with official United nations reports declaring famine conditions in Gaza.
The UN stated that about 500,000 people are living under “catastrophic hunger” conditions there and held Israel directly responsible.
The crisis persists amid ongoing conflict against Gaza as October 2023.
