Prime Minister Schoof: if you don’t draw a red line, we will

For a year and a half, Gaza has been subjected to extreme violence, resulting in over 50,000 deaths, countless injuries and displacements, and the destruction of schools, hospitals, and other vital infrastructure. Israel ignores rulings from the International Court of Justice, arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court, and urgent calls from the UN and aid organizations. It uses hunger as a weapon of war, seizes more and more land, and causes unbearable suffering for Palestinian civilians, including many children. This brings neither the release of the hostages nor a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians any closer.

And the Netherlands, as the host country of the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, makes painfully clear that it is not willing to take action against Israel’s violations of international law, continuing instead to choose meaningless talks with Israel. Talks that Israel repeatedly ignores without facing any consequences. The time for words has long passed — it is time for action. But the Netherlands continues to actively support Israel — through trade benefits, defense agreements, and the delivery of weapons that kill civilians in Gaza every day.

On 18 May, we demand a government that stands for human rights and listens to the loud call of the majority. A government that defends international law. And that takes action when that law is violated.