Dutch majority cabinet of right-wing parties refuses to hold Israel to account for war crimes

Five human rights organizations met with Prime Minister Schoof and Minister Veldkamp of Foreign Affairs this morning.To the disappointment of the NGOs Oxfam Novib, Amnesty International, Pax, Save the Children and Doctors Without Borders, the government does not intend to do much more than call on Israel to comply with the humanitarian law of war.

'No red line'

"There is no red line for the government. They cling to the belief that you can achieve more with diplomatic means. That has shocked us deeply," says Michiel Servaes, director of Oxfam Novib.

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Within the opposition in The Hague, this has been the case for some time, and NSC leader Omtzigt also says today that the government could perhaps do more. "I understand the attitude so far, but I think it should change slowly," he says.

According to him, Israel has every right to defend itself against Hamas. "But there are limits to what you can still see as self-defense. So it is good that the Minister of Foreign Affairs is going to address the ambassador on this."

'Exaggerated'

VVD leader Yesilgöz also initially points to Israel's right to defend itself, but says that there are also "things" happening that make her "stomach ache". She thinks it is right that ally Israel was summoned by Veldkamp. "You can also say to allies: how is this possible?"

When asked, PVV leader Wilders called summoning the ambassador "exaggerated."