Together with 25 other countries, the Netherlands has called to an end to the war in Gaza. The assistance must also be improved. It is certainly not the first call to Israel, but this time the use of language is strikingly much firmer.
The joint statement criticizes the assistance in Gaza. According to the countries involved, Israel uses “a dangerous method”, in which Palestinians run unnecessary risk to get food.
Moreover, the signatories state that the supply of aid is completely insufficient, so that the humanitarian situation in Gaza has achieved “a new low point”. The countries call it “unacceptable” that Israel keeps help away from the Palestinians and call on the country to immediately lift all restrictions.
“It is important to continue to keep pressure on Israel to improve the catastrophic humanitarian situation,” says displayary Minister of Foreign Affairs Casper Veldkamp on X. Due to the seriousness of the situation, it is a “resolute statement,” a Foreign Affairs spokesperson told Nu.nl. One that also contains “fairly sturdy language”.
The statement was signed by the foreign ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denemarken, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, the United Kingdom.
‘Declaration would have been unthinkable for the Netherlands’
A diplomatic explanation makes little or no difference in itself in large issues, says expert Benjamin Duerr. Moreover, such statements are not legally binding. Then why grab this medicine? “The moral pressure that arises or is being built up can have an impact,” says Duerr.
Duerr states that there is gradually a shift in how countries are setting up towards the conflict. That also sees diplomat Kees Rade. “The fact that the Netherlands – given the historical attitude towards Israel – would sign such an explanation, was unthinkable a few months ago,” he says.
According to Duerr, the joint explanation therefore gives “expression to a broader development.” And because the document has been drawn up and signed by several countries, according to him it also puts more weight in the scale.
The United States did not sign the statement. But also in Washington there is increasing dissatisfaction with the course of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, news site Axios reported on Sunday based on insiders.
Striking language uses Israel
Duerr and Rade also find the language striking. Just as there is a threat of “follow -up steps” if the war is not terminated immediately. “This means that the diplomatic pressure is considerably increased,” says Rade.
“The more countries are involved in the statement, the harder it is to reach agreement,” Duerr adds. “The fact that they have succeeded in making such a clear explanation shows that the worries are widely shared.”
The 27 EU Foreign Ministers agree that there should be busy on Israel to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. But sanctions were not done last week after conversations. However, the European Commission has listed a list of measures that can be imposed on Israel.
Professor Alette Smeulers also sees the statement as a good signal, for example towards the people in Israel who do not agree with the government’s policy.
“With everything you do, you ensure cracks in the policy and tone of Prime Minister Netanyahu,” says Smeulers. “And you never know which crack will be decisive for change”.
Statement not only intended for recipient, but also for senders
In any case, Israel does not seem impressed by the joint explanation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentions the text on X “Sung loose from reality”. The 25 countries must put their complaints mainly with Hamas, says Israel.
Hamas is indeed addressed in the statement. The militant movement must “immediately” release hostages. “We condemn their constant imprisonment and call for their immediate and unconditional release.”
In addition, the ministry finds the timing of the statement particularly unhappy, since Israel negotiates Hamas for a truce. With the statement, the countries “send a wrong signal to Hamas”.
The Israeli setup does not come as a surprise for Rade. “Unfortunately, we are dealing with a country that doesn’t seem to care much about these kinds of explanations.”
The diplomat says that the statement has also been drawn up for the signatories themselves. “In more and more countries, policymakers come under pressure from public opinion to do ‘something’,” he says. With the statement on Monday, Governments want to “meet those worries” according to Duerr.
The Netherlands, Along with 25 Other Countries, Have Called for An End to the War in Gaza. Humanitarian Aid must also be improved. It is Certainly not the First Appeal to Israel, But The Language Used This Time Is Remarkly Firmer.
The Joint Statement Criticizes Aid to Gaza. Accordance to the Countries Involved, Israel is Using “A Dangerous Method” in which Palestinians Run Unnecessary Risks to Obtain Food.
In Addition, the signatories state that the supply of aid, there is a completely insufficient, as a result of which the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached “a new low”. The Countries Call It “Unacceptable” That Israel Is With Withholding Aid From The Palestinians and Call on the Country to Imediately Lift All Restrictions.
“It is important to keep pressure on Israel to Improve the Catastrophic Humanitarian Situation,” Says Outgoing Minister of Foreign Affairs Casper Veldkamp on X. Due to the SeriOousness of the Situation, This Is a “Resisty statement,” Says a spokesperson One that also contains “fairly strong language.”
The statement was signed by the foreign ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Switzerland.
‘Declaration would have leg Unthinkable for the Netherlands Before’
A Diplomatic Declaration in Itself Makes Little to No Difference on Major Issues, Says Expert Benjamin Duerr. Moreover, Such Declarations are not legal binding. So Why Resort To This Tool? “The moral pressure that arises or is build up as a results can have an impact,” Says Duerr.
Duerr States That There is Gradually A Shift in How Countries Position Themselves Towards The Conflict. Diplomat Kees Rade also sees this. “The fact that the Netherlands – Given its historical attitude Towards Israel – would sign Such A Declaration was Unthinkable a Few Months ago,” He says.
Accordance to Duerr, The Joint Declaration Therefore “Expresses A Broader Development.” And because the document was Drawn Up and Signed by Several Countries, It also Carries More Weight, He Says.
The United States has not signed the declaration. But There is also Increasing Discertent in Washington About the Course of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, The News Site Axios Reported on Sunday, Based on Insiders.
Striking Language Increases Pressure on Israel
Duerr and Rade also find the language striking. Just as the Countries Are Threatening “Further Steps” If the war is not ended immediately. “This significant -in -the -diplomatic pressure,” Says Rade.
“The More Countries Involved in The Declaration, The More Difficult It is to Reach Agreement,” Duerr Adds. “The fact that they have succeeded in drawing up such a clear statement shows that the concerns are widely shared.”
The 27 EU Foreign Ministers Agree That Pressure Must Be Maintined on Israel to Improve the Humanitarian Situation in Gaza. But Sanctions were not imposed last week after talks. However, the European Commission has inventory a list of Measures that can be imposed on Israel.
Professor Alette Smeulers also sees the declaration as a good signal, for example Towards the People in Israel who do not agree with the Government’s policy.
“With Everything You Do, You Create Cracks in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Policy and Tone,” Says Smeulers. “And you never know which crack will be decisive in Bringing About Change.”
Declaration not only intended for the recipient, but also for the Senders
In Any Case, Israel Does Not Seem Impressed by the Joint Declaration. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Calls the Text on X “Divorced From Reality”. The 25 Countries Should Primarily Address Their Complaints to Hamas, Says Israel.
Hamas is indeed addressed in the declaration. The Militant Movement Must Release Hostages “Imediately”. “We condemn their continued imprisonment and call for their immediate and unconditional release.”
In Addition, The Ministry Believes The Timing of the Declaration, Partularly Unfortunate, AS Israel is Negotiating a Ceasefire with Hamas. With the declaration, the country’s are “sending the wrong signal to hamas”.
The Israeli Attitude does not come as a surprise to rade. “Unfortunately, we are dealing with a country that does not seem to pay much attention to this type of declaration.”
The Diplomat Says That The Declaration was also Drawn Up Primarily for the Signatories Themselves. “In More and More Countries, Policymakers Are Coming Under Pressure from Public Opinion to ‘Do Something’,” He says. With Monday’s Declaration, Governments Want To “Address these groups,” According to Duerr.