Middle East

Israel expels Dutch officials from Gaza centre as diplomatic relations with the Netherlands hit new low

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar / photo: EUCO

Israel has ordered Dutch representatives to leave an international support centre for Gaza, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between Jerusalem and The Hague. What prompted Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to take the extraordinary step? Why is the Dutch government now in Israel’s crosshairs? And which European country was targeted before the Netherlands? Read on for the full story and analysis.

Exclusive reporting and analysis from The Hague.
First month €2.50

Start reading

21 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia push for tougher AI oversight at UN General Assembly

A coalition of 21 countries, including the Netherlands, is calling for stronger international oversight of the world's most powerful AI systems ahead of this week's UN General Assembly. But with the United States and China missing from the initiative, questions remain over whether global rules for

The Netherlands extends MQ-9 Reaper mission in Romania until end of 2027

The Netherlands is extending its MQ-9 Reaper mission from Romania for another 15 months, strengthening NATO surveillance operations along its eastern flank at a time when allies are taking on a larger share of intelligence duties. The decision may seem technical, but it reflects a broader shift inside the

The Netherlands begins preparations for Dutch EU presidency 2029

The Netherlands wants to use its 2029 presidency of the Council of the European Union to present itself as a reliable and influential European player. But while the government is already preparing for tens of thousands of visitors and hundreds of meetings, the political priorities that will define the presidency

Dutch Ministry of Defence defends buying Chinese-linked 3D printers, promises tougher supply-chain checks

The Dutch government is standing by its controversial purchase of two Chinese-assembled 3D metal printers for defence research, but newly published parliamentary answers reveal a broader shift in policy: future procurement decisions will face stricter scrutiny over strategic dependencies, supply chains and the origin of critical components. In response

Read more

21 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia push for tougher AI oversight at UN General Assembly

The Netherlands extends MQ-9 Reaper mission in Romania until end of 2027

The Netherlands begins preparations for Dutch EU presidency 2029

Dutch Ministry of Defence defends buying Chinese-linked 3D printers, promises tougher supply-chain checks