The terrible terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, has led to Israel fighting for its survival. The 1200 victims and 250 hostages marked the most vulnerable point in Israels history since 1973. The right to self-defense against a terrorist organization like Hamas stands firm for the CDA, and Israel has the duty to retrieve its citizens who are being held hostage in the Gaza Strip. Regardless of the form, every form of support for Hamas must be addressed both internationally and in our own country.[1]

For the CDA, the international legal order provides the basic principle in the approach to a conflict, and the Netherlands must also advocate this internationally. Israel is fighting against a terrorist organization that uses the Palestinian population as human shields in the urban area of the Gaza Strip. It is clear that the terrorist organization Hamas misuses international law, but at the same time, this does not exempt Israel as a democratic rule of law from the fact that it must adhere to humanitarian law.

Now, a year and a half after the attacks of October 7, 2023, the conflict has led to tens of thousands of victims and more than 2 million displaced persons. Due to the urbanized area of Gaza, it is difficult to ascertain to what extent humanitarian law is being upheld. To make this possible, independent observers are necessary, regardless of the beliefs one may have about the intentions of the warring parties.[2][3] Additionally, it is crucial that both the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court can do their work, and that the Netherlands acts as a host country for this. It is inappropriate for the House of Representatives to reject a case before the International Court in advance, and therefore the CDA also speaks out against this.[4] In the context of the international legal order, the CDA is also critical of hindering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Starvation and dehydration are prohibited as techniques of warfare under humanitarian law. To prevent this, the CDA has repeatedly called for more humanitarian aid to be allowed into the Gaza Strip.[5][6] The recent attack on the Palestinian aid convoy in Gaza, which cost the lives of fifteen aid workers, appears to be a violation of the laws of war; therefore, the CDA has co-signed the motion calling for an independent international investigation.[7]

The CDA is also concerned about events in other areas. Since the attacks on October 7, 2023, illegal settlements in the West Bank have rapidly expanded. Violent settlers steal land and build roads to strategically cut off areas where Palestinians can no longer access. When land is demonstrably stolen, the CDA believes that there should be a strong response.[8] As a close ally, Israel must be protected from making significant mistakes like those currently being made in the West Bank. For not only is the illegal settlement policy in violation of international law and unjust to the Palestinian population, but ultimately also harmful to the state of Israel itself.

The situation in Gaza may seem hopeless, but that does not exempt us from the duty to continue striving for a sustainable peace. The fastest way to achieve this is through joint pressure from the European Union on the warring parties. There is no doubt that in the future there should be no place for terrorist organizations like Hamas. But Israel must also commit to sustainable peace; unfortunately, we see that the Netanyahu government is doing the opposite. Therefore, it is important for the CDA that pressure must also be exerted on Israel to move to the negotiating table. The European Union and Israel have concluded an association agreement. Article 2 of this agreement states that this agreement is based on respect for human rights and democratic values, and the parties must act accordingly in their domestic and foreign policies. To increase pressure from Europe for peace and to ensure that human rights are upheld in the conflict, the CDA has called on the European Commission to assess whether Israel is still complying with Article 2 of the agreement. If not, consequences should be attached to this.[9] Currently, peace is still far away, but the starting point for a post-war situation remains a two-state solution, and therefore the CDA has also supported proposals related to this in the past.[10] Furthermore, the CDA wants to maintain a constructive and open dialogue about alternatives, but these currently do not receive enough support.

On April 29, 2025, parliamentary leader Henri Bontenbal and foreign spokesperson Derk Boswijk expressed their views in an opinion piece in Dagblad Trouw regarding the CDAs stance on Israel and the right of Israel to defend itself and the limits that this right entails. [11]

[1] Motion by member Boswijk to investigate the support for and backing of the terrorist organization Hamas in the Netherlands. October 12, 2023.

[2] Motion by member Bontenbal et al. to allow more independent observers in Gaza and the West Bank for investigating possible violations of international humanitarian law by all parties. December 12, 2023.

[3] Motion by members Boswijk and Brekelmans advocating for allowing more independent observers into Gaza and the West Bank. January 18, 2024.

[4] Motion by member Tuinman et al. to express that the House of Representatives rejects the accusation of genocide currently made against Israel at the International Court of Justice. January 18, 2024.

[5] Motion by members Veldkamp and Boswijk to increase pressure on Israel to open a northern border crossing with the Gaza Strip as soon as possible to allow humanitarian aid through. April 18, 2024.

[6] Motion by members Ceder, van der Burg, Kahraman, and Boswijk calling on the Israeli government to immediately provide sufficient humanitarian aid to the population in Gaza. March 13, 2025.

[7] Motion by member Dassen et al. for an independent international investigation into the murder of the Palestinian aid convoy by Israel in Gaza. April 10, 2025.

[8] Motion by members Piri and Boswijk to advocate for targeted sanctions at the EU level against organizations and companies responsible for the establishment and expansion of illegal settlements and outposts. February 14, 2024.

[9] Motion by members Piri and Boswijk advocating for the European Commission to investigate Israels compliance with Article 2 of the Association Agreement. March 13, 2025.

[10] Motion by member Paternotte et al. to actively participate in the international alliance and use the international position of the Netherlands to stimulate discussions towards a two-state solution. October 10, 2024.

[11] Opinion: Israel has the right to defend itself, but that right has limits