Dutch Spat Over Israel Policy Splinters Caretaker Government

The Dutch caretaker coalition fractured after a center-right party quit over an Israel policy dispute, plunging the country into unprecedented political territory.

The exit was triggered by the resignation late Friday of Foreign Affairs Minister Caspar Veldkamp, a member of the New Social Contract party, who cited his inability to win agreement on “meaningful measures” in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza. Veldkamp said he repeatedly faced backlash from cabinet colleagues on measures already imposed by the Netherlands.