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Veldkamp wants European investigation into Israel: 'Blockade violates treaty'
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Minister Veldkamp of Foreign Affairs believes that Israel no longer respects human rights and democratic principles with its ongoing humanitarian blockade of Gaza. These principles were agreed upon in a treaty between Israel and the European Union. Veldkamp therefore wants the European Union to launch an investigation into compliance with the treaty.

"The blockade is against international humanitarian law," Minister Veldkamp told NOS. "You have the right to defend yourself, but the proportions now seem completely lost. This is really a line in the sand. We want to send a clear political signal to Israel."

Veldkamp refers to the decision of the Israeli government to expand the operation in Gaza and statements by Israeli cabinet members to reoccupy or even completely destroy the Gaza Strip.

'New aid system not neutral'
The announcement of a new aid system for Gaza does not change that for Veldkamp. "Although many details are still unclear, it does not look like this system complies with the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence," can be read in a letter to Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief.

Veldkamp also writes in the letter that Hamas must immediately release all hostages and that there is no place for Hamas in any future administration of the Gaza Strip.

European Union Correspondent Kysia Hekster:
"With this step, the Netherlands is now also explicitly choosing a much tougher course towards Israel within the EU. Negotiations are currently underway on an action plan that forms the basis for the cooperation agreement between the European Union and Israel. This action plan has had to be extended since January.

Veldkamp now says: we will only continue negotiations after European research has shown that Israel complies with the demands we set for human rights. In practice, the Netherlands can therefore single-handedly halt the negotiations that are underway. It is a strong political signal to Israel and to the other EU countries. As far as the Netherlands is concerned, for the time being it is: this far and no further."

The EU-Israel Association Agreement was concluded to improve political and economic cooperation. Part of that agreement is an action plan, which describes the cooperation between Israel and the European Union.

Veldkamp indicates that the Netherlands will no longer support the extension of that plan and other collaborations as long as the investigation into compliance with the agreements on human rights and democratic principles is ongoing. The Netherlands can block the extension of that component with a veto.

For the first time
It is the first time that Veldkamp condemns Israel's attacks on Gaza in these terms. He previously said that he was only conveying the concerns of the Netherlands, but that there were not many other European countries that were currently open to investigating whether Israel was violating the agreements.

Now Veldkamp says there is more support from other European countries for a tougher course. Today he leaves for an informal meeting of EU ministers in Warsaw, where he will discuss the new position.

The European Commission says it will respond to Veldkamp's request for an investigation tomorrow. EU foreign policy chief Kallas wrote in a press statement today that she was concerned about the proposed new aid system for Gaza and reiterated the EU's call for Israel to lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip "immediately."

Pressure increased
The pressure to do more against Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip has increased in recent times. For example, a majority of the House of Representatives voted in March for a motion to investigate the treaty between Israel and the EU. A month ago, five major aid organizations demanded that the Dutch cabinet do more to persuade Israel to change course.

According to Veldkamp, ??diplomatic pressure behind the scenes was until recently the best way to free the Israeli hostages and get humanitarian aid into Gaza. "But I notice in my contacts that the chance of a ceasefire has shrunk considerably," says Veldkamp. "I see that the Netanyahu government is now choosing a different political course."

'Weak minister'
PVV leader Geert Wilders, who supports Israel's policy, responds briefly to the news on X. "Weak minister chooses the side of anti-Israel demonstrators."

"MP Wilders chooses his own words," Veldkamp says in response. "This was to be expected." According to him, the cabinet, which also includes PVV ministers, speaks about Israel with one voice.

In a second tweet , later in the day, Wilders wonders whether Veldkamp's "ridiculous anti-Israel measures" have been taken by the entire cabinet.