Veldkamp told reporters that he "resigned from the caretaker government because of its position on the Israeli war in Gaza," noting that the government does not support additional sanctions against Israel over its war in Gaza and its settlement plans in the West Bank.
"I felt resistance within the cabinet to taking further action," he continued, noting that he is now returning home to write his resignation letter.
He explained that there is pressure from other ministers in the other parties in the government, preventing him from continuing his duties as foreign minister. He believes the current situation will not change in the coming months.
The Dutch government collapsed on June 3, and a caretaker government is expected to remain in power until a coalition government is formed after elections scheduled for next October, a process that could take months.
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Meanwhile, the Dutch news website NOS reported, citing sources in the New Social Contract party, that the remaining New Social Contract party ministers in the Dutch government have resigned following Veldkamp's decision.
In addition to Veldkamp, the New Social Contract party in the Dutch government includes a deputy prime minister, three ministers, and four ministers of state. Veldkamp has called over the past two days for further measures and sanctions against Israel.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with American support, has been committing genocide in Gaza, including killing, starvation, destruction, and displacement, ignoring international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt it.
The Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip left 62,263 Palestinians dead, 157,365 injured, most of them children and women, more than 9,000 missing, hundreds of thousands displaced, and a famine that claimed the lives of 273 people, including 112 children.
