Europe & EU
Five major humanitarian and human rights organizations will urge the Dutch government to take a tougher stance toward Israel. On Thursday, the directors of five organizations will meet with Prime Minister Rob Jetten, where they are expected to voice sharp criticism of what they see as the Netherlands’ cautious approach.
Middle East
A sharp public exchange has erupted between Israel's ambassador to the Netherlands, Zvi Aviner Vapni, and Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema following her remarks marking the annual commemoration of the Nakba. Read on for the full story. Summer discounts. Serious insights. Your summer pass to Dutch politics, diplomacy and
Middle East
Dutch diplomat and former Minister of Defence Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert has been appointed Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security at the United Nations. The announcement was made by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Middle East
All 27 member states of the European Union reached a political agreement on Monday on sanctions against violent Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced. The breakthrough follows a change in position by Hungary, which had blocked similar proposals for years. Under the
Middle East
After fifteen years of war, international isolation and a long‑closed embassy, relations between the Netherlands and Syria appear to be cautiously improving. Since the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024 and the formation of a Syrian transitional government, Europe - and also the Netherlands - have been exploring new
United States & Canada
The United States can use Dutch airports and Dutch airspace for flights and military operations related to the war with Iran. Unlike countries such as Spain, Switzerland, and France, the Netherlands sees no reason to close its airspace or impose restrictions on U.S. military flights. The Dutch government made
Middle East
The Dutch cabinet does not make an independent judgment on an alleged disinformation campaign against Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories. This is stated by the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Berendsen, in answers to parliamentary questions submitted by
NATO & Defense
The Netherlands will not extend its maritime contribution to security in the eastern Mediterranean. The air-defense and command frigate HNLMS Evertsen will return home in early May. Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz and Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen informed the House of Representatives in a letter that the deployment will not
NATO & Defense
The Dutch cabinet has acknowledged that it allowed arms exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during a period of formally restrictive export controls, but insists these deliveries were lawful, deliberate and defensive in nature — and sees no reason to tighten policy or increase transparency towards parliament. According to the
Middle East
The Dutch government condemns calls by Israeli ministers to annex Lebanese territory and describes statements about a possible occupation of southern Lebanon as “deeply concerning”. This was written by Foreign Affairs Minister Berendsen in answers to parliamentary questions. According to the cabinet, the annexation of Lebanese territory would be in
Middle East
The Dutch cabinet says it currently has no legal or practical means to regulate or ban the export of dogs to Israel, writes the cabinet in a letter to the House of Representatives addressing the implementation of a parliamentary resolution. Dogs exported from the Netherlands could be used in Israel
Russia
The Dutch cabinet has approved the appointment of eleven new Dutch ambassadors. The proposal was submitted by Minister of Foreign Affairs Berendsen. The appointments are still subject to the consent of the receiving countries and are expected to take effect this summer. Among the appointments are six (geo)politically sensitive