Overview

• The Netherlands became the seventh country to declare Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir persona non grata, barring them from entry over incitement to violence and calls for ethnic cleansing in Gaza.
• Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp told parliament the ministers repeatedly urged settler violence, promoted illegal settlement expansion and advocated ethnic cleansing, justifying the unprecedented ban.
• Dutch officials summoned Israel’s ambassador to demand that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government comply with international humanitarian law in Gaza.
• Amsterdam is considering suspending the trade provisions of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and tightening arms-export licenses if Israel fails to meet its humanitarian obligations.
• The government committed €4.5 million in fresh humanitarian aid and emphasized the need for immediate, safe and unfettered access to relief deliveries across the Gaza Strip as UN agencies warn of famine.