Caspar Veldkamp, the Dutch foreign minister, announced his resignation on the evening of Friday, August 22, following a disagreement with his government partners over potential sanctions against Israel.

All ministers from New Social Contract (NSC), the center-right party to which Veldkamp belongs, subsequently announced their resignation, further deepening the government crisis that began in June, when ministers from the Party for Freedom (PVV, led by Geert Wilders) triggered the collapse of Prime Minister Dick Schoof's coalition. New elections are scheduled for October 29.

The caretaker cabinet is now reduced to just two parties: the Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD, liberal) and the Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB). On Friday evening, Schoof called the actions of Veldkamp and his colleagues "irresponsible," adding, "That word is probably too mild."

As a former ambassador to Tel Aviv, Veldkamp had advocated for a careful change of course for the Netherlands, which had long displayed unconditional support for Israel. In May, he surprised many by asking the European Commission to examine whether Israel was honoring the terms of its association agreement with the European Union. The suspension he requested did not take place, due to a lack of majority support among EU member states. He also called for a complete lifting of the humanitarian blockade imposed on Gaza.

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