Dutch Network Participates in Event at the Palestinian Mission on the First Anniversary of the ICJ Verdict

On 23 July 2025, the Dutch Network of the Anna Lindh Foundation attended an informative event hosted at the Palestinian Mission in The Hague to mark the first anniversary of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) verdict.

The gathering brought together legal experts associated with the ICJ, key civil society representatives such as Gerard Jonkman from the Rights Forum, and members of our own network. The Dutch Network was represented alongside Erik Tilanus of the CDA Middle East Working Group, a valued member organisation.

Discussions focused on the ongoing challenges of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting both the disproportionate nature of Israel’s response following the Hamas attack and the lack of decisive action by European countries, including the Netherlands.

In private conversations, participants noted the pressures faced by officials within the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which often result in avoiding strong public positions on Israel’s military actions. While the Hamas attack was condemned as a serious terrorist act, concern was widely expressed over the excessive response by Israel and the political inertia in Europe regarding meaningful sanctions or interventions.

With the Dutch political calendar currently in recess, participants voiced fears that public debate and policy action will be further postponed, given upcoming events such as Prinsjesdag, elections, and cabinet formation. Civil society organisations present called for more concrete commitments and clearer communication from policymakers.

The Dutch Network continues to stress the importance of transparent dialogue, accountability, and active engagement by Dutch officials to address the humanitarian crisis and to work towards a just resolution. We also reminded key stakeholders of the petition submitted to the Anna Lindh Foundation Board of Governors, urging greater attention to peacebuilding and civil society efforts in the region.

📸 In the photo: our Network Coordinator Romana Moussa together with Ambassador Mr. Ammar Hijazi of the Palestinian Mission.