The Dutch government has ruled out recognising a Palestinian state “at this time,” despite mounting public concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp told lawmakers during an emergency parliamentary session on Thursday.
Parliament was recalled from its summer recess as pressure mounted on the government to take a stronger stance against Israel’s military operations in the besieged Palestinian territory. But Veldkamp maintained that formal recognition of Palestinian statehood was not on the table.
“The Netherlands is not planning to recognise a Palestinian state at this time,” he told MPs.
Veldkamp also dismissed calls from opposition lawmakers to suspend arms imports from Israel, insisting that the Netherlands prioritises sourcing defence equipment from domestic and EU-based suppliers before turning to third countries.
However, the foreign minister acknowledged growing international alarm over the conduct of the war, stating that Israel’s ongoing operations are having a detrimental effect on its own long-term security.
“This war has ceased to be a just war,” Veldkamp said. “It is now leading to the erosion of Israel’s own security and identity.”
He revealed that the Dutch government had taken “significant steps” in response to the crisis, including placing travel bans on two Israeli ministers—though he did not specify which.
The debate comes amid increasing public protests in the Netherlands over the war in Gaza and growing calls across Europe for a shift in policy. Several EU nations, including Spain and Ireland, have already recognised Palestinian statehood in recent months, citing the need for a long-term political solution to the conflict.
The Netherlands has historically been a strong supporter of Israel, but critics argue that stance is becoming harder to justify as civilian casualties mount in Gaza and international condemnation grows.
