Herzog clashes with Dutch PM over threat to suspend Israel from EU programs
Tensions erupted Monday between Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, following a sharply worded statement from the Netherlands suggesting punitive European measures against Israel due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
In a social media post, Prime Minister Schoof said he had convened an emergency meeting with his deputy prime ministers, foreign minister, and defense minister to address what he described as 'the catastrophic situation in Gaza.' Schoof emphasized the Netherlands' support for immediate and unrestricted humanitarian aid to the enclave and warned that if the European Union finds Israel in violation of humanitarian agreements, The Hague would support suspending Israel's participation in the EU's Horizon Europe research and innovation program.
Schoof went further, stating that if the EU takes action, the Netherlands would advocate additional measures—potentially in the trade sphere—and may also take national steps to 'increase the pressure.'
Swift and pointed
But the response from Jerusalem was swift and pointed.
'Sorry, Prime Minister, with all due respect—this tweet does not reflect the spirit or the details of our phone call,' President Herzog tweeted in an unusually direct rebuttal. 'Nor does it reflect my crystal-clear position: it will be a huge mistake if the EU takes such steps, especially in light of Israel's ongoing and upgraded humanitarian efforts.'
Herzog expressed deep disappointment that the fate of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas was not even mentioned in Schoof's remarks. 'I am especially saddened that the plight of our hostages and the demand for their immediate release are completely ignored,' he wrote.
A source with knowledge told The Jerusalem Post that during the phone call, Prime Minister Schoof told Herzog that 'he is a true friend of Israel, but he has no choice, and in light of public opinion he is obligated to support the suspension of a small part of the EU-Israel Association Agreement—specifically the section regarding future cooperation.'
According to a source familiar with the details of the conversation, Schoof made no mention of supporting trade sanctions or the full cancellation of the Association and Horizon Agreements, as was implied in his later tweet.
Schoof, in his statement, also said Hamas must fully cooperate to ensure aid reaches the suffering civilian population. He noted that the Dutch government would later send a formal letter to its parliament outlining its actions—both nationally and within the EU framework.
The European Commission is expected to convene Tuesday in Brussels to discuss the Horizon programme and other potential measures. A suspension of Israel's participation in Horizon, a flagship EU research and innovation initiative, would mark a significant diplomatic escalation.
The Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that the recommendation by the European Union's College of Commissioners to undermine Israel's participation in a component of the Horizon program is mistaken, regrettable, and unjustified. "At a time when Israel is fighting Hamas's jihadist terrorism, any such decision only serves to strengthen Hamas and therefore undermines the chances of reaching a ceasefire and a framework for the release of hostages."
The foreign office added that Israel will work to ensure that this recommendation is not adopted by the member states, and we hope that will indeed be the case.
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