Dutch parliament to hold emergency debate on Gaza crisis

THE HAGUE - The Dutch House of Representatives will cut short its summer recess to hold an emergency debate on the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported on Tuesday.

The move comes after a proposal by the Socialist Party (SP) received majority support in parliament.

SP Member of Parliament Sarah Dobbe, who submitted the motion, cited the "urgent situation in Gaza" as the reason the debate could not be postponed until after the recess, according to NOS.

The debate is expected to take place next week, though the exact date and time have yet to be announced.

The move follows the Dutch government's announcement of measures against the Israeli government, including declaring two Israeli ministers as personae non gratae.

In a letter to the Dutch Parliament released late Monday, Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp announced that Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich will be designated as personae non gratae and entered into the Schengen Information System as unwelcome individuals.

"This decision follows their repeated incitement of settler violence against the Palestinian population, persistent advocacy for the expansion of illegal settlements, and public calls for ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip," Veldkamp wrote.

Dutch lawmakers remain deeply divided over the government's actions. Across the political spectrum, parties have voiced both strong criticism and firm support regarding the government's position on Israel's role in the humanitarian situation in Gaza.