Middle East
A majority in the Dutch House of Representatives has again backed the government's sanctions regime targeting products from Israeli settlements, rejecting a series of motions aimed at delaying, reversing or narrowing the measures. Read on for the full story, including where Dutch political parties stand on the issue
Middle East
The Dutch government has defended the Ministry of Defence's most senior civil servant, Maarten Schurink, after right-wing and pro-Israel MP Gidi Markuszower and his colleagues questioned whether his leadership role at a cultural institution boycotting Israeli organisations is compatible with his position at the heart of
Europe & EU
At a time when Europe is grappling with a more assertive Russia, growing pressure on critical infrastructure and mounting economic uncertainty, the Netherlands and Norway are drawing closer together. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Støre signed a new strategic partnership that goes beyond symbolic
Middle East
For months, Dutch naval vessels waited on standby for a possible international mission to safeguard one of the world's most strategically important waterways. But despite continued military planning, The Hague now appears to be signalling that such an operation is not imminent. The Dutch government has decided to
NATO & Defense
The Netherlands has welcomed what it describes as a significant breakthrough in international efforts to regulate autonomous weapons systems, after 128 countries reached consensus on a document that could pave the way for future global rules on so-called “killer robots”. The agreement, reached overnight in Geneva under the framework
Middle East
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has once again drawn sharp condemnation from The Hague. In response to parliamentary questions from MPs Hanneke Van der Werf (D66), Maes van Lanschot (CDA) en Kati Piri (PRO), Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen said the far-right minister's latest remarks point
Africa
As the United Nations grapples with mounting geopolitical tensions, declining influence and a multi-billion-dollar funding crisis, world leaders will gather in New York this month for the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The Dutch government has now unveiled its priorities, ranging from defending the international rules-
Middle East
The mysterious disappearance of Dutch ASML employee Omar Elshal from his own court hearing in Egypt has now reached the highest diplomatic level. After questions in The Hague from left-wing MPs Stephan van Baarle (DENK), Christine Teunissen (PvdD), Kati Piri (PRO) and Sarah Dobbe (SP), Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen
Dutch politics
On 22 September, the Netherlands will introduce a trade boycott on products originating from Israeli settlements in occupied territories, marking one of the most significant Dutch measures against the settlement enterprise in years. Yet less than three weeks before the sanctions take effect, political divisions are already emerging over how
Middle East
The Dutch government is stepping up its involvement in Lebanon with fresh financial support for investigations into possible violations of international humanitarian law during the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Read on for the full story. Exclusive reporting and analysis from The Hague. First month €2.50 Start reading
United States & Canada
The Dutch government says it is preparing with European partners to shield the International Criminal Court (ICC) from growing American pressure, after Washington expanded sanctions against court officials and signalled it could take further measures. Behind the scenes, The Hague is working on contingency plans ranging from financial protections to
Middle East
More than 230 former Dutch ministers, ambassadors, diplomats and senior civil servants are urging the government to take significantly stronger measures against Israel, arguing that the steps taken so far fall far short of the severity of the situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Exclusive reporting and analysis