During the debate with Minister Veldkamp of Foreign Affairs, the spokespersons of the factions participating in the debate discussed the expenditures and revenues of the ministry for 2025, but they also looked more broadly at the foreign policy of the cabinet. Most senators were critical of the way the government interprets Article 90 of the Constitution, which states that the government promotes the development of the international legal order. According to them, the Dutch government does not promote the international legal order in that case. Why doesnt the Netherlands actively contribute to international law enforcement? asked Senator Karimi (GroenLinks-PvdA). A genocide is unfolding before our eyes in Gaza, with support from the Netherlands. Starvation is being used as a weapon, hospitals are being bombed, and aid workers from the Red Crescent are being executed. In all of this, the Netherlands fails to condemn these atrocities, said Karimi.
According to Senator Van Apeldoorn (SP), the international legal order is under pressure from those who claim to hold high ideals but do not live up to them. For more and more people and parties, it is becoming impossible to look away. He told Veldkamp: Let international law be the compass of your policy, stop looking away, and move towards the recognition of the Palestinian state. The war in Gaza has crossed the boundaries of humanity, said Senator Belhirch (D66). This war must end, hostages must be released, and there must be an independent investigation into war crimes. What is the Netherlands doing concretely to enable access to humanitarian aid? Netanyahus policy requires scrutiny under international law, she said.
Security
The war in Ukraine, the changing role of the United States in the world, the importance of NATO, and European security were also extensively discussed. Senator Visseren-Hamakers (PvdD) asked what consequences the budget cuts of this cabinet have for broad security. Further war rhetoric cannot be the solution. We miss a thorough analysis of alternatives to armament. He proposed an immediate ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia: Talks instead of tanks: The Netherlands and the European Union must explore possibilities for a peace conference between Ukraine and Russia. This can be discussed at the NATO summit in June in The Hague.
According to Senator Hartog (Volt), the Netherlands can gain strength by collaborating with the diplomatic posts of the European Union: We have a double foreign service with national posts and EU posts. Volt wants one foreign service. How does the minister plan to avoid duplication? For Senator Van den Oetelaar (FVD), the Dutch interest is systematically sacrificed to the new world order mentioned by the minister in the budget. This budget does not do what it should according to FVD. In the end, more is spent than we want. This policy is complete waste of money, said Van den Oetelaar.
Response from Minister Veldkamp
Minister Veldkamp of Foreign Affairs began his response with introductory words that we must prepare for uncertainty because the world is in transition. I am certain that the balance of the world order is shifting, partly to the East, partly to the South. By 2050, China and India will again be the first and second economies in the world, as they were several centuries ago. The Netherlands can no longer rely on the certainties of the past, said the minister. He continued: Meanwhile, we face major challenges. We will have to strengthen European defense. The US remains a crucial partner. We have no interest in steering towards a break. We must ensure the sustainable security of the EU.
Regarding the war in Gaza, Veldkamp said: The Netherlands continues to commit itself to the international legal order. Where possible, European countries must act together in this. The Netherlands wants to play a leading role. The main focus is to achieve a new ceasefire, whereby hostages can be released and we want Hamas to no longer be part of the government in Gaza and no longer pose a threat to Israel. I also see that atrocities are taking place in the Gaza Strip. That does not escape me. I am very concerned about that. Since the end of the first ceasefire in March, Israels actions seem to be disproportionate. The cabinet has condemned, among other things, Israels ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid.