The decision of Dutch Foreign Minister Kaspar Veldkamp to step down after the failure of a proposal to impose sanctions on Israel quickly triggered a wave of mass resignations within the caretaker cabinet. Nine ministers and senior officials, all members of the New Social Contract (NSC) party, left the government in solidarity with his anti-occupation stance. This move has placed the coalition government in a fragile position and underscored how Israel has become a serious fault line in the domestic politics of European states.

A moral message to the world: from The Hague to Gaza

The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) immediately praised the resignations of the Dutch foreign minister and his colleagues, describing them as a “brave and moral” act.

The statement stressed that the Dutch ministers’ action was a reflection of commitment to human values and the principles of international law. The resignations show that even in the heart of Europe—where some governments, under pressure from the Zionist lobby, refuse to confront Israel—there are still awakened consciences capable of making an impact and sending a global message.

This event stands as an important symbol: the policies of genocide and starvation in Gaza cannot be concealed indefinitely by political silence.

Israel’s international legitimacy under strain

The collective resignation of the Dutch ministers follows earlier positions taken by the Netherlands against Israeli policies. Previously, the Dutch government had designated extremist ministers in Netanyahu’s cabinet, such as Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, as “undesirable persons,” and along with 21 other European countries, declared settlement expansion in the West Bank to be “in violation of international law.”

Now, these resignations have given a practical and political dimension to such opposition. Actions of this kind can, in the long run, further erode Israel’s international legitimacy and pave the way for more coordinated pressure from Europe.

Strategic consequences for Europe and Palestine

Although the recent resignations have led to the collapse of the Dutch caretaker government, their impact reaches far beyond domestic politics.

This event has sent a clear message to the European Union: inaction in the face of Israeli crimes will carry heavy political and moral costs. From this perspective, the Dutch crisis could mark a turning point in Europe’s approach to the Palestinian question.

While European countries have yet to reach consensus on imposing coordinated sanctions against Israel, the initiative of the Dutch ministers may inspire waves of civic and political pressure in other states. For this reason, the resignation of Veldkamp and his colleagues can be seen as a serious warning to Tel Aviv and its Western allies.