The Dutch interim government has recently issued a new set of measures in order to react to the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp called the situation "unbearable and indefensible" and said the Netherlands would take several measures, including a travel ban as well as sanctions against two Israeli ministers.
4 months Ago
Travel Ban and Export Restrictions
Days after Foreign Minister Yair Lapid rejected a recommendation from the State Department to include the two extremist lawmakers on the list, the Dutch government declared Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich to be unwelcome aliens.
These are ministers who have promoted violence against Palestinians, created illegal settlements, and helped incite the Gaza ethnic cleansing. In other words, they will not be welcome in the Netherlands.
Over and above the entry ban, the Netherlands will reexamine its arms export policy with regard to Israel. The government will review and immediately suspend some export permits, and it says that in the current context, it is "extremely unlikely" that any new arms export licenses to Israel would be granted.
The Dutch government is also expected to call within the European Union for the suspension of the trade segment of its association agreement with Israel.
To support Gaza's humanitarian needs, the Netherlands will provide 1.5 million euros to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and 3 million euros to the Red Cross for humanitarian emergency aid.
Emergency Meeting and Diplomatic Push
The decisions, which came after noon, were made during an emergency meeting of Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Deputy Prime Ministers, the Foreign Minister Veldkamp,.
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