Jan Paternotte

Member of the Netherlands Parliament for D66

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Why is the Netherlands not taking measures against the ethnic cleansing of Gaza? Because the VVD always blocks concrete action. And therefore never has a majority in favour.

The VVD spokesperson lashes out wildly when you point this out. "Naive!" "Predicant's language!" As if the VVD members have been trained by Trump.

I just don't get it. We stand side by side with the VVD to support Ukraine and to march in the pride in Budapest, because freedom and human rights are at stake there. Together we call what Putin does war crimes. Of course!

Now people in Gaza are being shot dead while queuing for food. Hundreds. That is even the order that soldiers are given, they tell the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. The UN and other aid organisations have been banned by Israel. It is such a gross violation of everything we call humanity. And the Netanyahu government makes no secret of wanting to expel Palestinians.

The EU is Israel's largest trading partner. There are large countries in the EU that want to take strong measures. Spain wants to abolish all trade benefits for Israel. France wants to recognise the Palestinian state. Many smaller countries want that too. The Netherlands can make a difference. But then something has to change.
 
ORIGINAL TEXT 

Waarom Nederland geen maatregelen neemt tegen de etnische zuivering van Gaza? Omdat de VVD concrete actie altijd blokkeert. En en daardoor ook nooit een meerderheid voor is.

Wild slaat de woordvoerder van de VVD om zich heen als je daar op wijst. "Naïef!" "Domineestaal!" Alsof de VVD'ers een training bij Trump hebben gevolgd.

Ik begrijp het gewoon niet. Met de VVD staan we zij aan zij om Oekraïne te steunen en mee te lopen bij de pride in Boedapest, want vrijheid en mensenrechten staan daar op het spel. Samen noemen we wat Poetin doet oorlogsmisdaden. Natuurlijk!

Nu worden mensen in Gaza doodgeschoten die in rij staan voor voedsel. Honderden. Dat is zelfs de opdracht die soldaten krijgen, zeggen ze tegen de Israëlische krant Haaretz. De VN en andere hulporganisaties zijn door Israël verbannen. Het is zo'n grove schending van alles wat we menselijkheid noemen. En de regering-Netanyahu maakt niet eens een geheim van het willen verdrijven van Palestijnen.

De EU is de grootste handelspartner van Israël. Er zijn grote landen in de EU die stevige maatregelen willen nemen. Spanje wil alle handelsvoordelen voor Israël opheffen. Frankrijk wil de Palestijnse staat erkennen. Veel kleinere landen willen dat ook. Nederland kan het verschil maken. Maar dan moet er wel wat veranderen.
 

 

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