Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp announced his resignation from the interim government on Friday, citing its refusal to support additional measures against Israel’s actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Veldkamp’s departure has triggered a wave of resignations, with eight other ministers reportedly stepping down, exposing deep divisions within the Dutch cabinet over Israel’s violations of Palestinian rights.

Veldkamp, speaking to reporters, expressed frustration with the interim government’s inaction. “I felt resistance within the cabinet regarding additional measures,” he said, confirming he would formally submit his resignation. His decision follows the Netherlands’ participation in a joint statement with 21 other nations condemning Israel’s new settlement projects in the West Bank as illegal under international law. These settlements, finalized this week, are designed to bisect the West Bank, further fragmenting Palestinian territories and undermining their aspirations for an independent state.

The resignations come amid escalating humanitarian concerns in Gaza, where a global hunger monitoring organization declared on Friday that famine conditions now grip Gaza City and its surroundings. Israel dismissed the findings as “false and biased,” despite mounting evidence of starvation and suffering caused by its military offensive. Launched to seize control of Gaza City, displace civilians southward, dismantle Hamas, and secure hostage releases, Israel’s campaign has drawn widespread condemnation for its devastating impact on Palestinian civilians.

The Dutch government’s collapse on June 3 has left an interim minority government in place, tasked with managing affairs until a new coalition forms after October’s elections—a process that could drag on for months. Veldkamp’s resignation, followed by those of his colleagues, underscores growing international outrage over Israel’s actions, including its settlement expansion and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Palestinian advocates have praised Veldkamp’s principled stance, viewing it as a powerful signal that governments must take stronger action against Israel’s occupation and aggression. As the Netherlands grapples with political instability, the resignations highlight the urgent need for global accountability to protect Palestinian rights and end the suffering in Gaza and the West Bank.  (ILKHA)