Veldkamp denies that the government is turning a blind eye to violence in the Gaza Strip

Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp disagrees with the tens of thousands of demonstrators who spoke out against the government's Israel policy on the Malieveld in The Hague on Sunday. The minister says he does not recognise the image that the Netherlands is not speaking out clearly enough against the violence in the Gaza Strip.

The large demonstration shows "that there is a lot of concern about the situation in the Gaza Strip," according to Veldkamp. "That does not go unnoticed by me. I also share many of those concerns." The NSC minister swears that the Netherlands is actually one of the countries in Europe that is most critical of the actions of the Israeli government.

Veldkamp: "It might be good if people take another good look at what I do and what the cabinet does. And if you listen in Brussels, you will see and hear that the Netherlands is definitely not the bucket behind the boat." According to the minister, the Netherlands is "one of the frontrunners" in Europe when it comes to raising the issue of Israeli violence in Gaza.

The minister states that he received supportive messages from demonstrators. "They said: Mr Veldkamp, ​​this should strengthen you to continue with what you are doing in Europe." Nevertheless, he does not experience the demonstration as support for his course.

Veldkamp recently called for an investigation into whether Israel is guilty of violations of international humanitarian law by keeping humanitarian aid out of the Gaza Strip. However, the government also continues to emphasize that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas terrorism.

ANP