We strongly condemn the Dutch government's blow to Palestinian civil society | Mondoweiss |

The European Legal Support Center (ELSC) and The Rights Forum strongly condemn the decision of the Dutch government to end its funding to the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC). This decision was made despite an external investigation that affirmed UAWC's institutional independence and cleared the organisation of the main charges levied against it by the Israeli government and its extremist allies.

UAWC is the largest agricultural development organisation in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), providing crucial training and supplies to Palestinian farmers and fisherfolk in the West Bank and Gaza. The organisation plays an essential role in making Area C of the West Bank liveable and accessible for thousands of Palestinians farmers as well as their families and communities.

Accordingly, it is undisputable that the termination of Dutch funding for UAWC's projects will have tremendous repercussions on Palestinians. It will encourage Israel's illegal settlements enterprise and facilitate Israel's de facto annexation of the Palestinian territory.

Decision made by caretaker cabinet of Rutte III, in last days before new ministers in cabinet Rutte IV would be sworn in. Cowards.

Of course Geert Wilders is an outspoken Islamophobe of the worst kind. PM Mark Rutte has moved further to the right and populist rhetoric to prevent loss of more voters to the PVV and anti-Semite Thierry Baudet. A political process for two decades after the 9/11 attacks, murder of Theo Van Gogh, political assassination of Pim Fortuyn.

The Dutch VVD (Rutte I) had chosen a "Likud" member as Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal. He served two years until Nov. 5, 2012.

'Sapere aude'