NSC walkout deepens political turmoil in Netherlands

After the resignation of the country’s Foreign Minister on Thursday, all members of the New Social Contract (NSC) have also decided to step down, plunging the Netherlands’ government into further political turmoil.

The cabinet was already in a caretaker capacity, and the resignation of the NSC ministers will make no significant difference to that status.

The remaining coalition partners, the VVD and BBB, say they don’t understand the NSC’s departure. VVD Deputy Prime Minister Sophie Hermans called the move “irresponsible.”

Prime Minister Dick Schoof said in a statement to the House of Representatives that he respected the departure of the NSC ministers, “but we deeply regret it.”

He added that further deliberation on the current political situation was “necessary.” The cabinet will send a letter to the House on this matter, and a debate will follow early next week.

Israel’s actions ‘diametrically opposed to international treaties’

Schoof was forced to cancel his planned trip to Ukraine for Independence day in order to deal with the crisis.

Veldkamp had informed the country’s Parliament he intended to bring in new measures in response to Israel’s planned offensive in Gaza City and other heavily populated areas but was unable to secure the support of his coalition partners.

The 61-year-old former ambassador to Israel told reporters he felt he was unable “to implement policy myself and chart the course I deem necessary.”

“In short we are done with it,” party leader Eddy Van Hijum said, calling the Israeli government’s actions “diametrically opposed to international treaties.”

Dutch Defence Minister Robin Brekelmans has taken over as acting Foreign Minister.

The Dutch government already collapsed in June when anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders pulled out of the country’s four-party coalition over a fight about immigration and has since been in a caretaker role.

On Saturday, Dutch MPs voted not to take further steps to put pressure on Israel, as a proposed ban on the purchase of weapons from Israel, and a motion to recognise Palestine both failed.

Veldkamp had proposed a ban on imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories in response to the planned military escalation.

Opposition politicians had earlier called for a no-confidence vote for the minister, frustrated at what they saw as a lack of action against Israel.