Dutch policy on the situation in Israel and the Palestinian Territories

The Netherlands supports a two-state solution

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for decades. Each new outbreak of violence underlines the importance of finding a lasting solution. The Netherlands supports a two-state solution, with an independent, democratic, viable Palestinian state existing alongside a secure Israel.

What could a two-state solution look like?

A two-state solution will require Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to conclude a peace agreement. For the Netherlands, the borders of 4 June 1967 (before the Six-Day War) should form the basis, with the future Palestinian state consisting of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Guarantees and negotiations

A two-state solution supported by both parties will require clear agreements. Israel and the future Palestinian state must each have security guarantees. Talks on Jerusalem and the refugee issue will also need to be held. Many Palestinians fled what is now Israel during the Arab-Israeli War of 1948 or have done so since then. They, or their descendants, live in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and in countries surrounding Israel.

Israeli settlements

The Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territories are contrary to international law and pose a threat to the peace process. The Netherlands, like many other countries, consistently calls Israel to account in this regard, for example in bilateral diplomatic contacts.

International relations

The Netherlands has a broad relationship with Israel, including economic and trade ties, and good relations with the Palestinian Authority. The Netherlands wishes to improve the situation in the Palestinian Territories. Dutch development aid in the Palestinian Territories is directed at strengthening the rule of law, and cooperation on water and economic development. Through these efforts the Netherlands hopes to help bring about a lasting solution to the conflict.

The Netherlands condemns the terrorist attack by Hamas

On 7 October 2023 Hamas carried out a terrorist attack against Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking around 250 people hostage. Victims were tortured and raped. The Netherlands condemns this terrorist attack in the strongest possible terms. The hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. The Dutch government feels deep sympathy for the victims, their families and everyone who was affected by the attack or who is still living in uncertainty about the fate of their loved ones.

Israel has the right to defend itself

The Netherlands supports Israel’s right to defend itself. The country may defend itself against Hamas within the bounds of international law. This means that the use of force for the purpose of self-defence:

1. must be necessary. Israel’s actions must be necessary to stop Hamas’s armed attack and put an end to the threat;
2. must be proportionate. The nature, scale and intensity of Israel’s counterattack must be in proportion to the initial armed attack carried out by Hamas, and the ongoing threat it poses.

The Netherlands considers that an independent investigation is needed to determine whether self-defence is necessary and proportionate. The Netherlands believes that Israel must actively show how it is ensuring that its self-defence remains necessary and proportionate.

The Netherlands condemns all violations of international humanitarian law

The Netherlands condemns all violations of international humanitarian law, regardless of who commits them. For example, international humanitarian law restricts the means and methods of warfare and protects people who are not or are no longer taking part in the hostilities, such as civilians or wounded combatants. Promoting the development of the international legal order is an integral part of Dutch foreign policy. This is laid down in article 90 of the Dutch Constitution.

The Netherlands condemns the attack by the terrorist organisation Hamas in the strongest terms. The attack involved deliberate killings, and rocket strikes on Israeli cities, and made no distinction between military targets and civilians. Civilians were used as human shields.

The Netherlands also wants Israel to abide by international law, especially international humanitarian law. This means for example that the civilian population in the Gaza Strip must be protected as much as possible. The Netherlands therefore calls on Israel to act with demonstrable restraint. International humanitarian law is based on a balance between humanitarian considerations and military necessity. Find out more about international humanitarian law (information in Dutch).

Investigating violations

It is initially up to Israel to investigate possible violations of international humanitarian law. If it is clear that Israel is unable or unwilling to do this, perpetrators can be prosecuted under international criminal law. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is currently investigating all the parties involved in the conflict.

The Netherlands supports this independent investigation and has set aside an additional €3 million to boost the ICC's investigative capacity.

Both parties must protect civilians and allow humanitarian aid in

The violence since 7 October 2023 is impacting innocent Palestinians and Israelis and increasingly also the wider region, including Lebanon. The Netherlands calls on all parties to the conflict to abide by international humanitarian law, which protects civilians, medical personnel and humanitarian aid workers. This is essential in order to prevent civilian casualties and to rapidly enable and facilitate the provision of more humanitarian aid.

The Netherlands is seriously concerned about the dire situation for innocent civilians in Gaza. There is an urgent need for water, food, medicines and fuel. The Netherlands is calling for rapid and unrestricted access for humanitarian aid. The Netherlands has stressed the need for humanitarian aid to the parties involved and within the European Union and the United Nations, and is continuing to do so.

The Netherlands supports the Palestinian Territories with humanitarian aid and development cooperation

The Netherlands continues to support the Palestinian Territories with humanitarian and development aid. Stopping this aid would put further pressure on stability in the West Bank, with consequences for the security of Israel and the wider region. Since 7 October, the Netherlands has made over €71 million available in additional humanitarian aid.

The Netherlands seeks to prevent further regional escalation

The continuing attacks on Israel from Lebanon, Iran, Syria, Iraq and Yemen, and the Israeli counterattacks, including the offensive in Lebanon, give cause for concern. The Netherlands is making active diplomatic efforts to prevent further regional escalation and is in close contact with countries in the region.

The government on public reaction in the Netherlands

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict evokes strong feelings, in the Netherlands as elsewhere. The heartbreaking images from Israel and Gaza are having a big impact on many people. The Dutch authorities are working in all kinds of ways to prevent or reduce social tensions and antagonism between groups (polarisation). It appreciates that people have strong feelings about this issue, and it shares the serious concerns about the situation that has arisen over the years.