Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp has announced his resignation, citing frustration over being unable to implement additional measures against Israel due to opposition from other cabinet members.
Veldkamp said after a cabinet meeting on Friday that he had experienced internal resistance within the government to his proposed actions targeting Israel. “I find myself unable to take meaningful additional measures to increase pressure on Israel,” he said, adding that he felt restricted in his ability to “pursue the policy or direction I consider necessary.”
“I’m going home to write my resignation letter,” Veldkamp told Dutch broadcaster NOS.
His decision follows a parliamentary debate on Thursday, where Veldkamp, who is from the centre right Nieuw Sociaal Contract (NSC - New Social Contract) party, had advocated for new measures against Israel in light of escalating violence, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and Tel Aviv's policies on settlements in the occupied West Bank.
He proposed, for example, a boycott of products from illegal settlements. However, it became apparent during the debate that right-wing coalition parties VVD and BBB did not support his position.
A parliamentary debate on Gaza, originally scheduled for Friday afternoon following the cabinet meeting, was delayed. By 8:00 p.m. the debate had yet to begin due to an extended discussion during the ministerial meeting. It was unclear whether the debate would proceed following Veldkamp’s resignation.
The Netherlands is currently governed by a caretaker administration following the collapse of the Schoof government in early June.
General elections are set to take place on 29 October.
