The Hague, August 22, 2025 - Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp resigned on Friday following a cabinet meeting that failed to reach an agreement on imposing sanctions against Israel.

In the aftermath of this decision, Veldkamp expressed his inability to implement effective additional measures against Israel, stating that he felt constrained in setting what he considered necessary as foreign minister.

Last month, Veldkamp had declared far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich unwelcome in the Netherlands due to their controversial political positions.

The foreign minister had previously sought to take further actions against Israel but acknowledged a lack of confidence in his ability to do so effectively over the coming weeks and months.

Despite proposing measures that were 'seriously discussed' during cabinet meetings, Veldkamp encountered resistance from fellow ministers, leading him to resign.

The Netherlands was among 21 countries that signed a joint declaration condemning Israel's approval of a major West Bank settlement project as 'unacceptable and contrary to international law'.