Foreign Minister of the Netherlands steps down following unsuccessful attempts to impose sanctions on Israel.

The Netherlands is facing political turmoil once again, following the resignation of Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp on Friday evening. His decision comes amidst the ongoing crisis in Gaza, where the largest city is currently experiencing famine, and a perceived lack of action from the Dutch government against Israel's planned military escalation.

Veldkamp had proposed new measures in response to Israel's planned offensive in Gaza City and other heavily populated areas, including a ban on imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. However, he was unable to secure the support of his coalition partners for these new measures, leading to his resignation.

The resignation of Veldkamp has caused a domino effect within his center-right New Social Contract party, with all remaining Cabinet members also quitting. This has left the Dutch government in a caretaker mode, pending elections scheduled for October 29, 2025.

The Dutch government had been under criticism from opposition politicians, who had called for a no-confidence vote for Minister Veldkamp due to his perceived lack of action against Israel. Kati Piri, a member of the merged Green Left/Labor parties, criticised the Dutch cabinet for deliberating for hours about whether to take any action against Israel's planned military escalation.

The Netherlands' Parliament had repeatedly delayed a debate on sanctions against Israel, adding to the growing dissatisfaction among the opposition and the general public. Party leader Eddy Van Hijum called the Israeli government's actions "diametrically opposed to international treaties."

The collapse of the Dutch government in June was due to a fight about immigration with anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders. The current political instability comes at a time when the situation in Gaza is critical, with the famine likely to spread across the territory without a ceasefire and an end to restrictions on humanitarian aid.

As the Netherlands heads towards elections, it remains unclear who will take over the ministerial position following Veldkamp's resignation in August 2025. The successor of Caspar Veldkamp has not yet been named or confirmed. The Dutch government, in its current state, faces a challenging road ahead, navigating both domestic and international crises.

Foreign Minister of the Netherlands steps down following unsuccessful attempts to impose sanctions on Israel.