Netherlands Joins Europe in Warning Israel Over Death Penalty Plan
The Netherlands has supported a European appeal urging Israel not to expand the death penalty, while also restoring €19 million in funding to UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees), Dutch ministers confirmed on Monday.
Foreign Minister توم بيرندسن stated that the Netherlands backs the joint position of Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom ahead of a vote in the Knesset (Israeli parliament). Human rights groups have criticized the proposal, arguing it disproportionately targets Palestinians.
In a joint statement, European countries expressed concern about the “discriminatory nature” of the proposal, warning it could undermine Israel’s commitment to democratic values. بيرندسن emphasized that the Netherlands fundamentally opposes the death penalty as a matter of principle.
Separately, Development Minister سْيورد سْيوردسما informed the Tweede Kamer (Dutch House of Representatives) that the Netherlands will reinstate its €19 million subsidy to UNRWA this year. The decision reverses an earlier policy by the previous government, which had planned to phase out funding due to concerns about the agency’s neutrality.
The funding issue has been politically contentious. Parties such as JA21 criticized the move, accusing the minister of acting strategically in a way that could harm cooperation. Meanwhile, debates in the Tweede Kamer revealed divisions, with some parties demanding the restoration of funding as a condition for broader support.
The decision now faces another hurdle in the Eerste Kamer (Dutch Senate), where the current supporting parties do not hold a majority. Support from GroenLinks-PvdA could be decisive, as the bloc has insisted on restoring UNRWA funding before backing the budget.
Amnesty International welcomed the decision, describing UNRWA as a vital lifeline for Palestinians, providing education, healthcare, and emergency assistance. The organization also criticized the earlier funding cuts, stating they came at a time when humanitarian aid was already severely restricted.