Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen (pictured below) is facing criticism for his reaction to the Israeli air assault on Gaza. Hours after Israel began attacking Hamas targets, Verhagen condemned the provocations by Hamas 'that led to this situation' and called on Israel to "show the greatest possible restraint to prevent further civilian casualties."
Apparently, this was not what opposition leader Agnes Kant was hoping for. The Socialist Party leader said the foreign minister had given an unworthy and one-sided reaction. Ms Kant insisted that he condemn not only the provocations by Hamas, but also the air attacks by Israel:
"The appeal he made to Israel is entirely insufficient. It is a disproportionate reaction to a disproportionately violent action taken by Israel. The only appropriate reaction would be to condemn Israel and urge the country to cease the violence."
The Socialists are not the only ones who are dissatisfied. The moderate D66 party and even a parliamentarian in the Labour party - a coalition partner - want Verhagen to explicitly condemn the Israeli assault.
War crime
Former Prime Minister Dries van Agt, a Christian Democrat who has become a strident critic of Israel since his retirement from active politics, was also uncompromising in his criticism of the bombardments.
"The Israelis killed 225 people on the first day, that's ten times more than the Palestinians have killed in Israel with their Qassam missiles since 2004."
Mr Van Agt has repeatedly slammed Dutch and other Western governments' attempts to isolate Hamas. In his view, the latest assault
"is so seriously disproportionate that it takes on the magnitude of a true war crime".
Wider protest
The Israeli attacks are also being condemned outside the political arena. Cordaid, a large Dutch aid organization with strong ties in Gaza, has called on Israel and the international community to end the political isolation of Hamas. Pointing out that civilians in Gaza have no access to safe shelter, Cordaid is urging Israel and Hamas to cease all hostilities and to respect international and humanitarian law.
On Sunday night, a few hundred people at Amsterdam's Dam Square protested against the Israeli assault. The demonstration was organized by the Nederlands Palestina Komitee NPK.
Political minefield
Middle East politics has long been a minefield for Dutch foreign ministers. Maxime Verhagen has the thankless task of representing a country sharply divided over the Arab-Israeli conflict. Even in urging Israel to show restraint, he seems to have stepped on a compatriot's toes. Far-right Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders defended the massive Israeli assault. He said that he would have done the same -
"if we had terrorists across the border in Belgium or Germany firing rockets at Maastricht or Breda."
|
International reactions
Although Maxime Verhagen drew fire from political adversaries at home, his response was close to those of his European counterparts.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel blames Hamas for the escalation of violence. In a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Merkel "agreed that the responsibility for the development of the situation in the region clearly and exclusively lies with Hamas," Merkel's spokesman said.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said "This is a tragic episode. It takes place at a time when there is a power vacuum in Israel and the United States ... France and Europe must work to obtain rapidly an end to the firing of rockets, an end to the bombings of retaliation and the opening of doors in Gaza ... Europeans have a role to play."
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said "The rise in rocket attacks on Israel since 19 December, and yesterday's massive loss of life, make this a dangerous moment which should be of concern to the whole of the international community....The UK supports an urgent ceasefire and immediate halt to all violence."
|
Tags:
Foreign Minister,
Gaza,
Hamas,
Israel,
Maxime Verhagen,
restraint
sandra,
05-01-2009
- Nederlands
Wouter, of course, nobody wants to see innocent people killed, that is not Israels motives or intentions to harm innocent lives. They are simply defending themselves from the constant day and night rocket attacks from Hamas. Israel has every right to defend themselves against this terrorist group. Israel has tried not to kill any civilians However, Hamas has been known to hide behind civilians like the cowards they are and have always been. What do you suggest Israel do? Sit back and allow Hamas to continue rocket attacks and suicide attacks against Israel and for Israel to do nothing at all to defend itself? They have tried talking, peaceful measures and what does Israel get in return? Hamas breaking all truces as soon as they are made and as usual they start sending rockets through Israel regardless of the innocent lives it destroys. Hamas cannot be trusted for any truce, they never follow truces and have said over and over again that they do not think Israel has the right to exist. The only way I can ever see peace is for the UN Army to destroy Hamas and or better yet, Nato to be a permanent fixture at the border of Israel/Palistan to keep peace on both sides. But Hamas must be destroyed in order for peace to ever have a chance. If that happens, then we can start talking about two states and peace.
Steve,
31-12-2008
- USA
Vera, I must have missed the part of history where the Jews in the Warsaw ghetto were firing rockets into German apartment buildings and schools before the ghettos were sealed.
Jan, let me guess Islam owns the world and will reign supreme. You envision a day when everyone in the world will bow toward Meca at the exact same time of day or risk the death penalty.
Wouter, by your logic riding the bus further radicalizes Palestinians. Many Israelis have been punished for doing that. Also eating at home, walking down the street, and going to school is apparently also a catalyst for radicalization.
David Berridge,
31-12-2008
- Canada
Really, Vera, I am more than amazed and dismayed by your reaction! Israel still remains commited to the "Two-State Solution" for itself and the Palestinians, not a "Final Solution"!! Gaza as beleagured as it is, is still by no means a Warsaw Ghetto. Hamas is the problem there, and when they are defeated and expelled, a normal stste of existance can replace terrorism.
Vera Gottlieb,
30-12-2008
- Germany
Israel's tactics remind me of the tactics used by the Nazis in Poland, trying to eliminate the Warsaw ghetto.
jan,
30-12-2008
- canada
Israel is an illegal nation, much like Canada, USA and many others throughout the EARTH.
Wouter,
30-12-2008
- Around
I'm sure you could agree that no politician would wish "that Hamas could shoot straighter to even the fatality totals." Instead, what they are saying here is that Israel's response was disproportionate. Killing countless civilians (men women and children) is not the way forward, and will only result in the further radicalization of the Palestinians. Think more rocket attacks, more suicide bombings and more home made weapons. And the statement that "by not firing rockets at all, the math would be even at zero to zero" goes both ways. By treating the Palestinians as equals, or by allowing humanitarian aid to go through, or by not bulldozing houses, or by not arresting and torturing countless (innocent and not so innocent) Palestinians, or by not flying their jets over Gaza creating sonic booms that sound like bombs, or by not bombing indiscriminately from jets thousands of feet high. All of these are have been going on just as long, if not longer, then rockets have been shot from Gaza. The massacre taking place by the IDF is hugely disproportionate when compared to the the eighteen Israeli deaths over the last eight years due to Palestinian rockets being launched from Gaza. Yes, these rockets are abhorrent, but don't let them cloud your judgement. I would like to remind you that the UN has, officially, put the number of Palestinians killed in the last three day over 300. The Palestinians are suffering far, far worse then the people of Israel. I would remind you that slaves in the USA, were considered one third of a man. The Palestinians seem to be considered one three hundredth of an Israeli by most of the international community. You are not talking about statitics here. You are talking about people's lives.
sandra,
30-12-2008
- Nederlands
Hamas needs to be taken out once and for all. They are the cause for this war and they know it. Israel should not have to live day and night with constant rocket attacks and other terrorist attacks that they have been attacked with day and night for years. Geert Wilders and Sietse Fritsma are the only politicians that have the courage to stand up for the Jewish people and I admire them for this. PVV are true friends of Israel. It really hurts and angers me that CDA and PVDA could be so weak and one-sided when it comes to Israel. They completely ignore the fact that Hamas has been attacking Israel for years and Israel must defend themselves.
alanposting,
29-12-2008
-
The Zionists are bombing contained prisoners that can't eat or sleep or live. David you can't compare the two. The right wing Jews will never compromise because it's gods law. Everything they do in this regard is all window dressing.
Dick Udell,
29-12-2008
- USA
First of all, Hamas must permanently end these rocket attacks and, along with Iran, stop advocating the annihilation of Israel! Second, all other Arab countries must acknowledge Israel's right to exist! Third, all other religious and political parties must stop making war and trying to kill each other and learn to 'Live And Let Live'! Until then, there can be no lasting peace in the Middle East!
David Berridge,
29-12-2008
- Canada
it is remarkable that the opposition parties in the Dutch government wish to criticize what they call a one-sided response, with one of their own. As for the mathemathical difference in casulaty rates, do the opposition parties wish that Hamas could shoot straighter to even the fatality totals? By not firing rockets at all, the math would be even at zero to zero. That is the response the Dutch and all governments should be giving with one voice.
