‘I am insufficiently able to…’: Dutch foreign minister resigns over cabinet deadlock on Israel sanctions

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp on Friday resigned following an unresolved cabinet debate on whether to impose sanctions on Israel, Dutch news agency ANP reported.

In a statement to ANP after the meeting, Veldkamp said the lack of consensus within the government had left him unable to take meaningful action.

“I see that I am insufficiently able to take meaningful additional measures to increase pressure on Israel,” he said.

The cabinet had reportedly been divided over the next steps in response to Israel’s ongoing military operations, with growing domestic and international calls for accountability.

Veldkamp had been pushing for stronger measures, including potential sanctions, but failed to gain the backing of his colleagues.

His resignation adds further strain to Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s coalition government, which has faced internal rifts over its Middle East policy.

Last month, Veldkamp declared far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich persona non grata in the Netherlands.

On Thursday, Veldkamp signaled his intention to push for further action against Israel, but later conceded he lacked the confidence to implement meaningful measures in the coming weeks or months.

While the proposals he put forward were “seriously discussed,” they faced resistance within successive cabinet meetings.

“I feel constrained in setting the course I consider necessary as foreign minister,” he said, citing the lack of internal consensus as a key reason for his resignation.

The Netherlands was also one of 21 countries that signed a joint statement on Thursday condemning Israel’s recent approval of a major West Bank settlement project, calling it “unacceptable and contrary to international law.”

With inputs from agencies