Dutch foreign minister resigns after failing to impose sanctions on Israel

In the Netherlands, on August 23, 2025, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp announced his resignation after failing to implement new sanctions against Israel during a Cabinet meeting. Veldkamp had intended to propose measures in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but he could not win support from coalition partners for his initiatives. The proposed measures included a ban on imports from Israeli settlements, reflecting his growing frustration over the lack of action against what he termed unacceptable practices by the Israeli government. His resignation prompted four other ministers from his New Social Contract party to also step down, leading to significant instability in the government. The political crisis roots back to earlier tensions in the coalition, particularly following the withdrawal of Geert Wilders’ party over immigration disputes. Veldkamp's tenure as Foreign Minister had marked a shift from pro-Israel policies to increasingly vociferous criticisms of Israeli actions in the Palestinian territories. This pivot, despite being initially welcomed within his party, faced pushback in the Cabinet meetings aimed at establishing additional sanctions against Israel. After the unsuccessful Cabinet discussions, Veldkamp expressed his disappointment by stating that he felt constrained in his role to push for the needed measures. The government situation became dire as parties like his New Social Contract struggled to maintain unity. Critics and opposition members were increasingly vocal about the perceived inaction, with calls for a no-confidence vote against Veldkamp emerging amidst claims of famine and ethnic cleansing in Gaza. Strikingly, even a proposal to boycott products made in the contested regions met with opposition within the Cabinet, as many argued that such actions should be taken at the European level. The critical urgency of the humanitarian crisis, highlighted in Parliament debates, underscored the growing frustration among lawmakers regarding the government's inability to respond effectively to developments in Gaza. As the situation escalated in Gaza, with reports of famine affecting the population and international calls for intervention growing louder, the Netherlands faced increasing pressure to reconsider its diplomatic stance. The resignations exacerbated political instability at a time when the Dutch government was already navigating a precarious caretaker status following previous political collapses. With elections on the horizon, the current state of governance may significantly impact the country's foreign policy direction in the future, as opposition parties hint at a potential swing towards more radical changes in the Netherlands’ approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.