Dutch foreign minister quits over Israel sanctions clash

Dutch politics was thrown into further turmoil on Friday after Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp stepped down, citing frustration over his inability to secure new sanctions against Israel. His resignation, which followed a contentious cabinet meeting, prompted his party, the New Social Contract (NSC), to withdraw from the governing coalition, deepening the country’s political crisis.

Resignation Amid Cabinet Deadlock

Veldkamp had been vocal in recent weeks about the need for stronger measures against Israel in response to its military campaign in Gaza and settlement expansion in the West Bank. On Thursday, he publicly argued that additional sanctions were necessary, describing Israel’s policies as “iron-fisted” and out of step with international law.

But after a series of cabinet meetings failed to produce agreement on further action, Veldkamp announced his resignation. Speaking to Dutch news agency ANP, he explained: “I feel constrained in setting the course I consider necessary as foreign minister.” He added that although his proposals were “seriously discussed,” they faced persistent resistance within the government.

Mounting Pressure Over Gaza

The resignation comes amid mounting domestic and international pressure on Western governments to respond to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which began after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. Those assaults killed 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to official tallies. Israel’s subsequent offensive has resulted in more than 62,000 Palestinian deaths, the majority civilians, according to figures from Gaza’s health ministry that the UN deems credible.

In the Netherlands, public pressure has been especially strong. The Hague has seen some of the largest protests in two decades, with crowds estimated at up to 150,000 demanding sanctions on Israel and humanitarian access for civilians in Gaza. Calls intensified on Friday when the UN officially declared a famine in the territory, blaming what it described as Israel’s systematic obstruction of aid deliveries.

Recent Moves Against Israel

The Dutch government has already taken steps to signal its disapproval of Israeli policies. Last month, The Hague declared far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich persona non grata, accusing them of inciting settler violence, encouraging illegal settlement growth, and promoting ethnic cleansing rhetoric.

The Netherlands also joined 20 other countries on Thursday in condemning Israel’s approval of a large new West Bank settlement project, labeling it “unacceptable and contrary to international law.”

Despite these measures, Veldkamp argued that further action was required. Among the proposals under discussion at the EU level were suspending Israel’s access to a €900 million science and technology program, restricting trade, and imposing visa bans on individual Israeli officials. However, the European Union has repeatedly failed to reach consensus, with several member states resisting sanctions.

Ben-Gvir dismissed the bans as meaningless, saying he would continue working for Israel even if excluded from “all of Europe.” Smotrich accused European leaders of capitulating to “radical Islam” and fueling “rising antisemitism.”

Political Fallout in The Hague

Veldkamp’s resignation is the latest blow to Prime Minister Dick Schoof’s fragile government, which has already been weakened by the withdrawal of Geert Wilders’ far-right Freedom Party (PVV) from the coalition in June. The collapse of yet another coalition partner leaves Schoof with diminished parliamentary support just weeks before the scheduled national election on October 29.

Addressing parliament, Schoof expressed regret over Veldkamp’s departure, describing him as a committed foreign minister. He acknowledged that the war in Gaza was “worsening” and “dramatic,” noting that the entire government recognized the gravity of the situation.

With the exit of the NSC — the fourth-largest party in parliament — Dutch politics now faces an even more uncertain run-up to the elections, as divisions over foreign policy intertwine with domestic instability.