Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp has resigned after failing to win support from his cabinet for tougher sanctions against Israel over its war in Gaza. His resignation deepens political uncertainty in the Netherlands, where a caretaker government is already struggling to maintain unity before October’s elections.
Veldkamp, a member of the New Social Contract party, said he faced “constant resistance” from other ministers whenever he tried to push for stronger measures. Among his proposals were travel bans on Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir for inciting violence, blocking export permits for Dutch-made ship parts that could be used in Gaza, and pressing the EU to suspend its trade deal with Israel. Germany strongly opposed the last step, leaving the Netherlands without consensus.
He told reporters that Israel’s assault on Gaza City, ongoing settlement construction in the West Bank, and new housing approvals in East Jerusalem made doing nothing unacceptable. His frustration grew as Germany blocked EU-wide sanctions, while Dutch opposition lawmakers urged the government to act on its own.
Critics also point out that Dutch ports continue to play a role in Israel’s supply chain, with parts for F-35 fighter jets regularly passing through Rotterdam. Earlier this week, the Netherlands joined 20 EU states in condemning Israel’s settlement expansion, calling it illegal. But many argue such statements are meaningless without real sanctions, especially as Gaza faces worsening famine.
No successor has been named yet, leaving the Netherlands without a foreign minister at a time when foreign policy decisions are under heavy scrutiny. The caretaker cabinet will likely continue to manage international affairs until after the elections, though forming a new government could take months.
