Last Friday, Foreign Minister Hoekstra sent to the House of Representatives an “estimate” of Amnesty International’s report on Israel. This is also his answer to parliamentary questions from Bij1 force Simons. In short, the Minister, on behalf of the Dutch government, rejects Amnesty International’s conclusions and concludes: “There is no issue of apartheid”.
Woepke Hoekstra Foreign Minister
Photo: © RVD – Valerie Kuypers and Martijn Beekman
at his message The Minister provides a brief summary of the Amnesty International report and states that Amnesty uses various descriptions of the term “apartheid” in international law. The letter discusses issues critical of the Netherlands, and Hoekstra specifically mentions his concerns about the lack of peace between Israel and the Palestinians. However, there is no question of apartheid, says the minister. Indeed, such characterization has the opposite effect of rapprochement and peace initiatives, Hoekstra said: “The cabinet does not agree with Amnesty International’s conclusion that there is apartheid in Israel or in the territories occupied by Israel. Apartheid is a specific legal term and a serious international crime, It is up to the judge to decide whether this is the case. In light of the foregoing, the government also rejects the recommendations made by Amnesty International in the report.”
Polymorphic democracy with media empowerment
The Fourth Rota government does not agree with Amnesty’s reading and contradicts the apartheid narrative. The government also has reservations about Amnesty International’s reporting methodology. “The basis of the report is that Israel imposes ‘apartheid’ in all areas where Israel exercises effective authority, while realistic and legal positions differ in those areas,” Hoekstra said.
The Dutch foreign minister puts a sobering perspective on Amnesty International’s perspective and says: “The Cabinet affirms that Israel – unlike many other countries in the region – is a constitutional, democratic, pluralistic state with strong and multifaceted representation, inclusive of all communities, individuals and ethnicities within Israeli society. Characterized by State with independently operating and empowered media, targeting diverse groups within Israeli society — including Arab society.”
Holland in line with Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States
The government notes that several other countries – including Germany, the UK and the US – rejected the apartheid designation in response to the report. Hoekstra: “The Cabinet agrees with Germany and the UK that such qualification does not contribute to resolving the conflict and achieving a two-state solution. The Israeli branch of Amnesty International – which is usually openly critical of the government of Israel and its policy towards the Palestinians – also distanced itself from the report, saying that it It will be counterproductive and will not improve the situation on the ground.”
CIDI agrees with this position.
United Nations Human Rights Council
The Minister takes the opportunity to clarify the Netherlands’ vote at the UN Human Rights Council, which addressed relevant resolutions on the so-called Middle East Peace Process (MOVP). The minister explains that the Netherlands is trying to achieve balanced and realistic texts, wants to counter the disproportionate interest in Israel and at the same time is trying to preserve the greatest possible unity in the European Union.
in 49ste At the meeting, the minister said, thanks to the Netherlands, that the wording of some of the resolutions presented by the Palestinian Authority was “more balanced” and no new texts were presented for taking unilateral measures against Israel. Also, “OHCHR’s obligation to report (in connection with an investigation into the military operation”)cast bullets“From 2018) of the decision.” The minister says he met the wishes of the House of Representatives and “combated the disproportionate interest in Israel at the United Nations.”
The Netherlands specifically voted in favor of the resolution The human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justiceHowever, he provided an explanation for the vote before the vote, which included reservations about the paragraph on classifying Palestinian NGOs as terrorists. The Netherlands has not yet reached a conclusion on this issue. The Minister also indicates that he is working to reduce the number of resolutions under this agenda item specifically designated for Israel.
The Netherlands – along with other EU member states – also voted in favor of resolutions on settlements and the right of Palestinians to self-determination. The Netherlands voted against the decision Human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan Because “the text is not balanced enough”. For example, there is no mention of human rights violations by the Syrian regime itself.
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