Why it matters:
Mass resignation of New Social Contract (NSC) ministers has plunged the Dutch caretaker government into deeper instability, exposing internal divisions over foreign policy toward Israel and raising questions about coalition durability ahead of upcoming elections.
The big picture:
Foreign Minister Veldkamp resigned Friday in The Hague, citing frustration over limitations on imposing sanctions against Israel. “I see that I cannot take sufficiently meaningful additional measures to increase pressure on Israel,” he said after a Council of Ministers meeting. His exit triggered the resignation of all NSC ministers, including Eddy van Hijum (Social Affairs), Eppo Bruins (Education), Judith Uitermark (Interior), Danielle Jansen (Health), and four state secretaries.
What they're saying:
Left-wing opposition parties, including the Socialist Party (SP), Party for the Animals (PvdD), and Denk, accused the government of inaction and tabled a motion of no confidence against Veldkamp. His resignation made the motion redundant.
In July, Veldkamp declared two Israeli cabinet ministers persona non grata, citing their “repeated incitement of settler violence against the Palestinian population.”
NSC officials say coalition partners, the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy and the Farmer-Citizen Movement, refused to support tougher measures against Israel.
Hamas' reaction:
Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) issued a statement praising the “courageous” actions of the Dutch Foreign Minister and several cabinet members who resigned in protest over the government's failure to impose sanctions on Israel. According to the statement, the resignations represent “a symbol of commitment to human values and respect for international law,” and send a strong message to halt what it described as “fascist aggression against civilians in Gaza.”
The key points:
- A few members of the Dutch cabinet oppose the country's support for Israel and the genocide of the people of Gaza.
- The resignation of Dutch ministers was the first official response in Europe to Israel's genocide.
What’s next:
The resignations destabilize the already fragile coalition and could accelerate political realignment in the Netherlands. With foreign policy now at the center of domestic debate, pressure is mounting on remaining parties to clarify their stance on Israel and broader international engagement.
Hossein Amiri - Mahboubeh Habibi
