Netherlands condemns steps to annexation of Palestinian territories, urges Israel to change course

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Netherlands on Thursday strongly condemned any action by Israel towards annexing the occupied West Bank and Gaza City, calling such steps “unacceptable.”

Addressing the UN General Assembly, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof stressed that unilateral measures undermining Palestinian statehood would only deepen conflict and "obstruct" the path to peace.

“The annexation of the West Bank and Gaza City is unacceptable. We condemn any move in this direction,” Schoof said, underscoring that his government would continue pressing for policy shifts at both the country and European levels.

He announced the Netherlands' backing for a European Commission proposal to restrict investment in Israeli companies developing dual-use technologies, while also pushing for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, a ban on goods from illegal settlements, and the halting of arms export licenses.

"The only route to a lasting peace is through negotiations that ultimately lead to a two-state solution," he said, hailing this week's signing of the New York Declaration, which calls for the creation of a Palestinian state, as a step in that direction.

The declaration, signed during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, enjoys the backing of 142 states

Schoof's call came amid mounting international concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the Netherlands joined other EU members in urging safe, independent and unlimited access to aid for civilians.

He highlighted by emphasizing that multilateralism and adherence to international law remain essential: “This war, this suffering, must end now. The guiding principles of the UN Charter are unchanged, and we must uphold them.”