Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar delivers a sharp diplomatic reprimand to the Dutch ambassador, accusing the Netherlands of fueling antisemitism, undermining ceasefire efforts, and siding with Hamas through recent anti-Israel measures.
In a forceful diplomatic move, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar summoned Dutch Ambassador to Israel Marriët Schuurman for a formal reprimand over what he described as “hostile and damaging” actions recently undertaken by the Netherlands against Israel.
Sa’ar condemned the Dutch government’s latest policy shifts, warning they fuel antisemitism within the Netherlands and embolden Hamas at a critical moment in ceasefire and hostage negotiations.
“The Dutch government’s policy towards Israel fuels antisemitism in the Netherlands — the same antisemitism we saw in its most vicious form during the pogroms on Amsterdam’s streets last November,” Sa’ar told the ambassador.
‘Misplaced Pressure’ Strengthens Hamas
The foreign minister rejected outright the Netherlands’ strategy of applying political and diplomatic pressure on Israel to alter its security policies.
“Israel will not surrender to jihadist forces,” Sa’ar declared. “If the Netherlands wants to bring about a change in our policy through pressure — it will fail. The pressure should have been directed at Hamas, not at Israel.”
He cautioned that actions taken by the Netherlands, along with other like-minded countries, have already damaged the chances of a ceasefire in Gaza, hindered hostage release negotiations, and strengthened Hamas’s refusal to compromise — pushing the region closer to military escalation.
Accusations of Political Opportunism
Sa’ar accused the Dutch government of abandoning a long-standing friendship with Israel in favor of political point-scoring, despite being fully aware of Israel’s substantial humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
“The outgoing Dutch government chose to turn friendship into open hostility, precisely when Israel is facing one of its most difficult times. This will not remain one-sided or unanswered,” he warned.
Sa’ar concluded by expressing confidence that many in the Dutch public remain staunch supporters of Israel, and he vowed their voices would continue to resonate despite the current political climate.
