Netherlands calls for EU-Israel trade deal review over Gaza aid blockade

The Dutch government, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, took a significant step by calling for an urgent reassessment of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

This agreement supposedly forms the foundation of their free trade partnership.

The Dutch government is long regarded as one of Israel’s closest allies within the European Union,

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp conveyed this shift in stance during an interview with The Guardian.

He stated that the recent actions of Israel, particularly its restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza, were in violation of international humanitarian law and the agreement’s core principles.

Veldkamp described the Israeli-imposed blockade on Gaza aid as “catastrophic, truly dismal,” stressing that the policy constitutes a direct breach of legal and moral obligations.

In response, he has formally written to Kaja Kallas, head of the EU’s foreign affairs service, urging a comprehensive review of the agreement.

He argued that Israel is no longer complying with the terms of the pact, which explicitly requires respect for human rights and democratic values under Article 2.

The issue is expected to be brought up during a two-day informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Poland, starting Wednesday.

This marks a notable development, especially considering that the Netherlands had previously opposed calls, primarily led by Ireland and Spain, to consider suspending the agreement.

The EU remains Israel’s largest trading partner, and the association agreement, which came into force in 2000, has long been a pillar of that economic relationship.

Veldkamp, a former Dutch ambassador to Israel, explained his current position by emphasizing the humanitarian and legal dimensions of the crisis.

“You cannot starve the people of the Gaza Strip.

“It is against international law.

“It’s morally wrong.

“It’s dangerous.

“I don’t think it’s in Israel’s own interest,” he said, noting that the likelihood of a ceasefire was “very, very slim,” making the humanitarian situation “unbearable.”

He further revealed that the Dutch government would oppose any continuation or extension of the EU-Israel action plan, which operationalizes the association agreement.

In his letter to Kallas, Veldkamp highlighted that Israel’s proposed mechanism for aid distribution failed to meet international standards of neutrality, impartiality, and independence.

Speaking to The Guardian in London, Veldkamp expressed deep concern over the war’s progression since the March 18 collapse of the ceasefire and the increasing obstruction of humanitarian aid.

He was speaking after meeting British Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

He criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategy, suggesting that it prioritizes military objectives over the safe return of hostages.

“The criticism in Israel is increasing against [the] prime minister that he does not give enough priority to the release of the hostages, and he has now stated also that he doesn’t give that ultimate priority, but he gives the priority to fighting Hamas,” Veldkamp stated.

He acknowledged that Hamas must lay down its arms and release hostages, affirming that the group has no legitimate role in Gaza’s future governance.

He also mentioned reports that Egypt, an active participant in ceasefire negotiations, has proposed relocating Hamas leadership to a third country as part of a broader resolution.

With the International Court of Justice (ICJ) located in The Hague, Veldkamp underscored the Netherlands’ heightened responsibility to uphold international legal standards, including those set by the ICJ.

“I don’t have any illusions that Hamas will ever apply international humanitarian law, but from a democracy such as Israel, democracies fight differently,” he said.

He pointed to recent remarks by Israeli officials, notably Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who has advocated for the total destruction of Gaza, as incompatible with democratic norms and legal standards.

“These are statements we cannot ignore any longer,” Veldkamp stressed.

“I say this as someone that feels close to Israel, and as a former ambassador.

“This is not a sustainable policy by Israel, and it is time to work for peace.”

His comments, and the potential for a shift in EU policy toward Israel, come just days ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s first major diplomatic trip to the Middle East since his inauguration.

Trump, notably, has refrained from criticizing Netanyahu’s approach to the conflict.

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