Dutch don’t rule out unilateral measures against Israel

The Netherlands is prepared to consider unilateral measures against Israel if there is no ceasefire by 15 July, caretaker foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp told MPs on Wednesday.

Speaking during a parliamentary debate, Veldkamp said he still hoped the European Union would agree on joint measures to pressure Israel to end the fighting. But if there is no breakthrough by the next EU foreign ministers’ meeting on 15 July, the Netherlands, he said, is willing to look at its own options.

The minister declined to spell out what those measures might be, telling MPs he had “not yet thought about it”, but argued that coordinated action with other countries would be more effective. “If several countries act, it could have an effect,” he said.

The EU is currently studying whether Israel is violating Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which concerns respect for human rights and democracy. The investigation was requested by the Netherlands.

So far, only Spain has called for the immediate suspension of the agreement. Belgium, Ireland and Sweden have also pushed for action, while Germany, Greece and Italy oppose any suspension.

According to Politico, four officials have confirmed that interim measures, such as paring back trade ties, are being considered and could be passed by a qualified majority of countries.

In May, opposition MPs failed to secure enough support for a motion calling on Veldkamp to exert further pressure on Israel through a weapons embargo or sanctions.

Since then protests against the Israeli attacks on Gaza have been growing in the Netherlands, with 150,000 people taking part in a demonstration last month.

Two-thirds of people now describe the most recent bombing as “out of all proportion” and 77% condemning the aid blockade, according to an RTL opinion poll.