We joined Prime Minister Schoof today as a united front with a joint appeal: stop looking away from the genocide in Gaza and stop unconditional support to the Israeli government. The invitation to the conversation was due to the hundreds of thousands of Dutch people who joined the ‘Not in my name’ campaign demanding a fundamental change of course from the Schoof administration. They no longer want to be complicit in obvious war crimes or crimes against humanity leading to ethnic cleansing or even genocide.
No red line
During the conversation, the prime minister mainly talked about what they can do as a cabinet, rather than what their duty is on behalf of international treaties. In addition, the prime minister stressed that the Netherlands is not prepared to take a principled stand on violations of international law. As far as the cabinet is concerned, there is no red line. Prime Minister Schoof does acknowledge that (rights) violations take place, but despite this, the prime minister blindly trusts the current diplomatic track.
Whereas cabinet members can indeed speak out about war crimes committed by Russia or in Syria – with subsequent sanctions and other political pressure means – Prime Minister Schoof just does not manage to condemn an attack on innocent civilians, including children, in Gaza who are killed in their sleep by Israeli bombing. For the Netherlands, it is business as usual in trade and aid, regardless of war crimes committed by Israel, and there is hardly any pressure on the Israeli government.
Blatant violations of international law
This double standard became painfully clear again during today’s conversation. Prime Minister Schoof shows no willingness to abide by his duty to defend international law, despite the obvious violations of law by the Israeli government. As for political, military and economic consequences to these violations, we can apparently expect nothing from this cabinet. Israeli violence against humanitarian workers and their patients in Gaza is also insufficient reason for Prime Minister Schoof to issue a harsh condemnation on behalf of the Netherlands.
‘I found it a disconcerting conversation,’ says PAX director Rolien Sasse, ‘The conversation shows that the Netherlands is still giving carte blanche to Israel. The cabinet only wants to put pressure on Israel through diplomatic channels. So this has no consequences for Israel. The cabinet has no red line. This will allow impunity to continue. And through our military cooperation, we will remain complicit!’
Obstructing access to essential aid supplies
Since 2 March, Israel has again blocked all aid supplies to Gaza and the Israeli government has completely cut off Gaza from electricity. The International Court of Justice ordered Israel in January 2024 to take measures to prevent genocide and allow immediate and unhindered humanitarian aid. The current humanitarian blockade is an obvious violation of this ruling. Moreover, deliberately preventing access to essential relief supplies and life-saving resources is a hallmark of genocide.
Prime Minister Schoof’s reluctant stance is shameful. The Netherlands is among an increasingly small group of countries that remains unconditionally supportive of Israel. A country that presents itself internationally as a champion of human rights and international law should be clear when those principles are in danger. The opposite is true; the Netherlands therefore completely forfeits its position as a champion of human rights and international law.
Our demands are clear:
- We call on Prime Minister Schoof to draw consequences for Israel’s violations of international law, and to call for an EU investigation into the violations of Article 2 – the human rights clause – in the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
- The Netherlands should adjust military cooperation with Israel.
- The Netherlands should urge other states to comply with their obligations to cooperate with the International Criminal Court.
- The Netherlands must use all possible political, economic and diplomatic means to put pressure on Israel.
- We expect maximum commitment from the prime minister to end the humanitarian blockade of Gaza and provide aid workers with the protection afforded by law.
After more than 50,000 deaths, the Schoof administration can no longer remain silent.
