The Dutch Foreign Minister, Caspar Veldkamp, resigned on Friday, withdrawing his New Social Contract (NSC) party from the governing coalition after key legislation to impose sanctions on Israel was blocked by coalition partners. The move has plunged the Netherlands into a deepening political crisis.
Veldkamp cited the government’s refusal to adopt necessary foreign policy measures, particularly in response to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza and settlement expansion in the West Bank. His resignation was followed by the withdrawal of all NSC ministers and state secretaries from the caretaker government, leaving the coalition significantly weakened.
Among the measures that failed to pass were a proposed ban on arms sales to Israel, boycotts of Israeli products, and the formal recognition of the State of Palestine. However, parliament did approve a resolution calling for the destruction of Hamas, reflecting the divided nature of Dutch politics on the issue.
Caretaker Prime Minister Dick Schoof, now backed by only 32 of 150 parliamentarians, was forced to cancel a planned diplomatic trip to Ukraine next week as his government faces mounting instability.
The political upheaval in the Netherlands comes amid growing global criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza and the worsening humanitarian crisis in the territory. It also reflects a broader trend in Europe, where several governments — once staunch supporters of Israel — are facing domestic pressure to adopt tougher stances. Spain and Ireland have already pushed for stronger measures, and the Netherlands had appeared poised to follow before the coalition split.
It remains unclear whether snap elections will be called in response to the government’s collapse. If elections are held, the question of sanctions against Israel and broader Middle East policy could become a central issue for Dutch voters, underscoring how the conflict in Gaza is increasingly reshaping political landscapes far beyond the region.