The Dutch government, traditionally a firm ally of Israel within the European Union, has called for an urgent reassessment of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. This follows Israel’s continued blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, which Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp described as “catastrophic” and a breach of international humanitarian law. In a letter to the EU foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, Veldkamp urged that Israel’s actions be scrutinised under the terms of the agreement, which links trade relations to respect for human rights.
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Veldkamp, formerly the Dutch ambassador to Israel, confirmed the matter will be raised at the upcoming informal EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Poland. He emphasised that denying aid is “morally wrong” and “dangerous”, not only for Gazans but also for Israel’s long-term security. The Netherlands, once opposed to suspending the agreement, has now taken a firmer stance, threatening to veto any extension of the EU-Israel action plan.
The Association Agreement, active since 2000, includes Article 2, which commits both parties to democratic values and human rights. Despite previous calls from NGOs and some EU member states to reconsider the deal, no formal steps were taken. Veldkamp argued that Israel’s proposed aid distribution methods do not meet international standards of neutrality or independence, making its actions incompatible with the spirit of the agreement.
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Speaking after a meeting with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Veldkamp stressed that a ceasefire is essential to both humanitarian relief and the release of hostages. He criticised Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for prioritising military objectives over hostage recovery and warned that recent ministerial statements in Israel regarding the destruction of Gaza were unacceptable. “As a democracy, Israel must act differently,” he stated, adding that the Netherlands, home to the International Court of Justice, feels a responsibility to uphold international law and pursue peace.
