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3h ago

Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns After Israel Sanctions Stalemate, NSC Exits Cabinet

The resignations underscore the caretaker government's limited leverage given European Union splits over punitive measures toward Israel.

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FILE - Netherlands' Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp lays flowers during a wreath laying ceremony on the 30th anniversary of Srebrenica massacre at the Memorial Center in Potocari, Bosnia, July 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File)
Caspar Veldkamp resigned as Dutch foreign minister after cabinet failed to agree new sanctions against Israel

Overview

  • Caspar Veldkamp stepped down after failing to win cabinet backing for additional measures against Israel over the war in Gaza.
  • All ministers and state secretaries from his New Social Contract party resigned in solidarity, further weakening the caretaker administration as Prime Minister Dick Schoof voiced regret.
  • Veldkamp had already barred entry to Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, revoked three export permits for navy ship components, and proposed an import ban on settlement goods.
  • The upheaval coincided with a United Nations famine declaration for Gaza and large protests in The Hague calling for sanctions and unfettered humanitarian access.
  • EU-wide sanctions efforts remain stalled, the Netherlands joined 21 countries condemning Israel’s E1 settlement plan, and no successor to Veldkamp has been announced ahead of the October 29 elections.