A visit to Israel by Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, originally scheduled for Monday, has been postponed, the two countries said. “We are still studying the possibility of going there later”declared a spokesperson for the Dutch ministry to Agence France-Presse.
This postponement follows surreal exchanges in the Dutch Parliament, where a member questioned Mr. Veldkamp on the reasons for this trip, the details of which had not been made public. Caspar Veldkamp reacted angrily, declaring that“it’s not just about the details of my trip, but about security” of the one. “I cannot work like this as Minister of Foreign Affairs”he added.
“In these circumstances, the decision was taken not to continue the visit”declared the spokesperson for his ministry.
The postponement also comes hours after the International Criminal Court (ICC), based in The Hague in the Netherlands, issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former minister of defense Yoav Gallant and the head of the armed wing of Hamas, Mohammed Deif, for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“During the conversation it was agreed that the visit of the Dutch Foreign Minister to Israel, scheduled for next Monday, would not take place”said Mr. Saar.
