The Netherlands pivots on Israel as it asks for EU-Israel trade deal review
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said his government is "drawing a line in the sand" over the Gaza humanitarian aid blockade, which he says goes against international humanitarian law.
READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/05/08/the-netherlands-pivots-on-israel-as-it-asks-for-eu-israel-trade-deal-review
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Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said his government is "drawing a line in the sand" over the Gaza humanitarian aid blockade, which he says goes against international humanitarian law.
READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/05/08/the-netherlands-pivots-on-israel-as-it-asks-for-eu-israel-trade-deal-review
Subscribe to our channel. Euronews is available on Dailymotion in 12 languages
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00:00The Netherlands is toughening its stance on Israel's war in Gaza, a significant shift for a traditional loyal ally.
00:07On Wednesday, Dutch Foreign Minister Kaspar Weltkamp said Israel's aid blockade violates international law,
00:13urging a review of the trade deal in place between the EU and Israel.
00:17He called his country's stance a clear signal due to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza,
00:24telling the EU's high representative Kayakalas that Israel is violating their agreement.
00:28What we're doing here is giving a very clear signal, a very clear signal regarding the line in the sand,
00:36because the situation in the Gaza Strip is dismal, it's catastrophic, the humanitarian situation.
00:43What we see is that the Israeli blockade for humanitarian aid and energy, getting energy supply to Gaza, is continuing.
00:52What we also see as a new development is the decision by the Israeli security cabinet, the Prime Minister Netanyahu, last Sunday, to intensify the war effort.
01:04What I also see is statements by several Israeli ministers of calling for reoccupying the Gaza Strip, total destruction of the Gaza Strip.
01:14The Netherlands now intends to veto any extension of the trade pact, pending an EU review into Israel's compliance with its terms.
01:24Although Dutch Prime Minister Dixhoof supported Weltkamp's tougher line, coalition partner Heert Wilders criticized Weltkamp as a weak minister.
01:35Other EU ministers who gathered in Warsaw backed the Dutch concerns, with Belgium's Maxime Prevost calling the situation an absolute shame.
01:44Luxembourg's Xavier Bertel said Israel seems to be listening to no one.
01:48Kallas confirmed that the ministers will examine the Dutch proposal in Brussels on May 20, adding that other possible responses to Israel's Gaza plans will also be discussed.