Dutch foreign minister quits caretaker government over Gaza

AL-Monitor
Aug 22, 2025
FILE PHOTO: Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp speaks during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (not pictured) at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China May 22, 2025. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/Pool/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp speaks during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (not pictured) at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China May 22, 2025. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/Pool/File Photo — Tingshu Wang

THE HAGUE (Reuters) -Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, part of a caretaker government, quit his cabinet post on Friday ahead of schedule over the government's position on Israel's war in Gaza, he told reporters.

He said the government did not support additional measures against Israel over Gaza and plans for the occupied West Bank.

"I have felt pushback in the cabinet for additional measures," he said, adding he would formally tender his resignation.

The Dutch governmentcollapsedon June 3, and the caretaker minority government is expected to stay in place until a coalition government is formed after October elections, which may take months.

Israel has launched a military offensive aimed at seizing control of Gaza City, relocating civilians to the south, dismantling Hamas and creating pressure for hostage releases.

Earlier on Friday a global hunger monitor determined people in Gaza City and its surroundings were officially suffering from famine. Israel has dismissed the findings as false and biased.

Israel this week gave final approval to plans to construct a settlement that would bisect the occupied West Bank and fragment territory Palestinians seek for an independent state.

(Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)