Netherlands rejects Palestine recognition and sanctions on Israel
Caspar Veldkamp (photo: GettyImages)
The Dutch parliament on Saturday, August 23, rejected a proposal to recognize a Palestinian state and impose sanctions on Israel amid a political crisis in the government, reports Politico.
According to the outlet, most lawmakers instead backed a motion urging Israel to allow international and domestic journalists access to the Gaza Strip and to exert maximum pressure on countries supporting Hamas leaders.
The vote came a day after the unexpected resignation of Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, who stepped down Friday evening in protest over the government’s refusal to introduce tougher sanctions on Israel amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
On the same day, lawmakers from the centrist New Social Contract (NSC) party, Veldkamp’s political allies, also resigned their seats.
Western recognition of Palestine
In July, French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to formally recognize Palestine during the September session of the United Nations General Assembly.
His statement drew a sharp response from Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemning Paris’s initiative. The US also voiced opposition, in contrast to some European allies who have supported the French plan.
Palestine is a partially recognized state in the Middle East, comprising the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. To date, 139 of the 193 UN member states have recognized its sovereignty.
On July 30, France also launched an international coalition in support of Palestinian recognition, which has so far drawn the backing of 15 countries.
