Middle East

Questions in parliament over top Dutch defence official's role at venue behind Israel boycott

Maarten Schurink, the secretary-general of the Ministry of Defence / photo: Defensie

The Dutch government’s most senior civil servant at the Ministry of Defence is facing political questions over an side role that has suddenly become part of the Netherlands’ increasingly polarised debate over Israel and Gaza. Right-wing opposition MPs are demanding answers about whether Maarten Schurink, the secretary-general of the Ministry of Defence can simultaneously chair the supervisory board of cultural institution TivoliVredenburg that supports a boycott of Israeli institutions. Read on for the full story and our analysis.

Summer discounts. Serious insights.
Your summer pass to Dutch politics, diplomacy and defence.

☀️ View our summer discounts!

Read more

The Netherlands condemns Taliban crackdown on women, while backing EU talks with Afghanistan

The Netherlands condemns Taliban crackdown on women, while backing EU talks with Afghanistan

The Dutch government has sharply condemned the Taliban's violent crackdown on a women's rights protest in Afghanistan, accusing the regime of violating fundamental human rights. Yet at the same time, The Hague is supporting European efforts to maintain technical contacts with the Taliban on sensitive issues,

US ambassador Joe Popolo calls the Netherlands America’s top ally in Europe, but warns The Hague over trade, tech and the ICC

US ambassador Joe Popolo calls the Netherlands America’s top ally in Europe, but warns The Hague over trade, tech and the ICC

The United States views the Netherlands as its most important partner in Europe. Yet behind the warm words of US Ambassador in The Netherlands, Joe Popolo, lies a tougher message: Washington expects continued Dutch alignment on trade, technology and security, and is prepared to push back when Dutch policy moves

The Netherlands backs Klaas Knot for president of the European Central Bank. Can he really become the next ECB chief, if Lagarde leaves?

The Netherlands backs Klaas Knot for president of the European Central Bank. Can he really become the next ECB chief, if Lagarde leaves?

The Dutch government has publicly thrown its weight behind Klaas Knot as a potential successor to Christine Lagarde at the helm of the European Central Bank (ECB), a move that places the former Dutch central banker firmly in the race for one of Europe's most influential economic jobs.

Will the international Hormuz mission finally happen? Dutch frigate hosts coalition headquarters amid regional uncertainty

Will the international Hormuz mission finally happen? Dutch frigate hosts coalition headquarters amid regional uncertainty

The Netherlands is taking another step towards a possible international mission in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important maritime chokepoints. A small multinational headquarters team is set to board the Dutch frigate HNLMS De Ruyter in the Gulf region, following a request from