Netherlands blocks two hardline Israeli ministers
Netherlands Declares Israel Ministers Persona Non Grata
The Netherlands has formally declared Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir persona non grata, citing their incendiary rhetoric and alleged support for ethnic cleansing in Gaza.
EU Sanctions Proposal Fails
- In June, the Netherlands backed a failed Swedish proposal to impose EU sanctions on Smotrich and Ben‑Gvir.
- Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp characterised their statements as “repeated incitement of settler violence against Palestinians, promotion of illegal settlement expansion, and calls for ethnic cleansing in Gaza.”
Smotrich’s Response on X
Smotrich retorted on X, accusing European leaders of succumbing to “the lies of radical Islam that is taking over” and “rising antisemitism.”
Ben‑Gvir’s Stance
Ben‑Gvir declared he would continue to act on behalf of Israel, even if he was banned from “all of Europe.”
He wrote, “In a place where terrorism is tolerated and terrorists are welcomed, a Jewish minister from Israel is unwanted, terrorists are free, and Jews are boycotted.”
Netherlands’ Humanitarian Aid Strategy
- Veldkamp emphasised the Netherlands’ goal to “relieve the suffering of the population in Gaza” and explored further humanitarian aid avenues.
- He noted that “airdrops of food are relatively expensive and risky,” and that the Netherlands was taking steps to support land‑based aid delivery.
- Aid drops resumed in Gaza on Sunday following Israel’s announcement of temporary humanitarian pauses in parts of the besieged territory.
UN Famine Warning
Around 2.4 million Palestinians in Gaza face a lethal wave of starvation and malnutrition, according to UN aid agencies.
The UN‑backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative (IPC) reported on Tuesday that famine is unfolding across much of Gaza, with thresholds breached and over 20,000 children treated for acute malnutrition since April.
Political Repercussions
- Veldkamp said the Netherlands would push to suspend the trade element of the EU‑Israel Association Agreement if Israel fails to meet its humanitarian obligations, and would remind Israel to comply with international humanitarian law.
- After a phone meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof stated the government’s position was “crystal clear”: “The people of Gaza must be given immediate, unfettered, safe access to humanitarian aid.”
- Israel’s foreign ministry summoned Dutch ambassador Marriët Schuurman to Jerusalem for a formal reprimand, citing the Dutch government’s measures against Israel’s right to defend itself and against its ministers.
Conflict Context
The Gaza war began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which killed 1,219 people, most civilians, according to AFP. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has killed 59,921 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas‑run territory health ministry.
