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. As regards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Dutch government will continue to strive for a lasting solution that has the support of both parties. The basis for this remains a two-state solution, with an independent and viable Palestinian state existing alongside a secure Israel. 

What would 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 Dutch government, 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 will require clear agreements. Israel and the future Palestinian state must each have security guarantees. Talks on Jerusalem, the illegal settlements, and the refugee issue will also need to be held. Many Palestinians have fled what is now Israel since the Arab-Israeli War of 1948. They live in refugee camps in the Gaza Strip, on the West Bank and in surrounding countries. 

Israeli settlements in occupied territory 

In accordance with the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice of 19 July 2024, the government recognises that the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories is unlawful. This is in addition to the government’s long-standing position that the settlements and their expansion in the occupied territories violate international law. The Dutch government, like those of 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 Dutch government 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 Dutch government hopes to help bring about a permanent solution to the conflict. 

The Dutch government 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 Dutch government condemns this terrorist attack in the strongest possible terms. The hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. Hamas must lay down its weapons immediately and must be disarmed. Furthermore, there is no role for Hamas in the future administration of the Gaza Strip. 

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. The Dutch government recognises the traumatic impact of 7 October 2023 on Israeli society and supports Israel’s right to exist and its right to security. 

Israel has the right to defend itself 

The Dutch government supports Israel’s right to defend itself. The country may defend itself against Hamas and other terrorist organisations, within the bounds of international law. This means that the use of force for the purpose of self-defence must be: 

1. necessary – Israel’s actions must be necessary to stop Hamas’s armed attack and put an end to the threat; 

2. 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 Dutch government believes that Israel must actively show how it is ensuring that its self-defence remains necessary and proportionate. 

Israel’s actions since the ceasefire was broken on 18 March 2025 are a cause for serious concern. The high number of casualties in particular raises urgent questions. Independent investigation is required to address these questions. It is up to a court of law to give a judgment on them. 

The Dutch government condemns all violations of international humanitarian law 

The Netherlands condemns all violations of international humanitarian law, regardless of who commits them. The violence since 7 October 2023 is impacting on innocent Palestinians and Israelis and increasingly also on the wider region. The Dutch government calls on all parties in the conflict to abide by international humanitarian law. International humanitarian law restricts the means and methods of warfare, and protects people who are not (or no longer) taking part in hostilities. This is necessary in order to prevent civilian casualties, protect relief workers and alleviate the suffering of civilians. International humanitarian law (website in Dutch) reflects an intention to find a balance between humanitarian considerations and military necessity. 

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. 

War in the Gaza Strip and violence on the West Bank  

The Dutch government is extremely concerned about the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. The situation is catastrophic. There are too many innocent victims, including large numbers of women and children. It is vital that a new ceasefire is agreed as soon as possible. There is an urgent need for water, food, medicines and fuel. The Netherlands is calling for rapid, unrestricted and unconditional access for humanitarian aid. The Dutch government condemns Israel’s blocking of the entry of humanitarian aid and the supply of electricity to the Gaza Strip that began on 19 March 2025. This is a violation of international humanitarian law. The government also condemns the pronouncements and actions of Israeli cabinet ministers alluding to the annexation of all or parts of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria. International law forbids unilateral annexation. 

There is a concerning increase in violence by Israeli settlers on the West Bank. The Dutch government condemns the violence directed at Palestinian civilians on the occupied West Bank. It is important for the victims that this violence ends and that the perpetrators are held to account. But it is also important for Israel, in order to prevent the situation on the West Bank from escalating.  

Request for EU review 

The developments in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, including Israel’s continuing blockade of humanitarian aid deliveries and its cutting off of the electricity supply to the Gaza Strip, the Israeli security cabinet’s decision of 4 May 2025 to expand operations in the Gaza Strip, and pronouncements made by Israeli cabinet ministers about a permanent presence, alluding to the reoccupation of all or parts of the Gaza Strip, Syria and Lebanon, led the Netherlands to submit a request to the EU in May 2025 to review Israel’s compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Respect for human rights and democratic principles is an essential element of Article 2. A majority of EU member states supported this request. The EU then announced that it would launch the review.  

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, those responsible can be prosecuted under international criminal law. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is currently investigating all the parties involved in the conflict. 

The Dutch government supports this independent investigation and has set aside an additional €3 million to boost the ICC’s investigative capacity. In addition, in both 2024 and 2025 the Netherlands contributed $1 million to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to support monitoring by the field office in the Palestinian Territories.

The Netherlands supports the Palestinian Territories with humanitarian and development aid 

The Netherlands continues to support the Palestinian Territories by providing humanitarian and development aid. This aid contributes to stability on the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip and by extension to the security of Israel and the wider region. Since 7 October 2023, the Netherlands has made over €82 million available for additional humanitarian aid, especially for the Gaza Strip. The Netherlands has also set aside €20 million for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, including €10 million to repair the water supply. 

The Dutch government seeks to prevent further regional escalation 

The risk of further regional escalation is undiminished. The Netherlands is making active diplomatic efforts to prevent further regional escalation and is in close contact with relevant countries in the region. Further escalation will cause greater instability in the region and this will also have an impact on the Netherlands.  

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 the Palestinian Territories, especially the Gaza Strip, have made a deep impression on many people. The Dutch authorities are working 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.