The Netherlands was long considered one of Israel’s closest allies in Europe. During the Yom Kippur War, they provided military aid to Israel, represented Israeli interests in the Soviet Union during times of severed diplomatic ties, and maintained their embassy in Jerusalem until 1980. Israel also owes much to the Netherlands in agriculture—some even credit them with laying the foundation for Israel’s rise as an agricultural powerhouse.
The Netherlands sees itself as a founding member of the European Union and a guardian of human rights. It is no coincidence that The Hague hosts both the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice—symbols of law, justice, and global order.
Today, around one million Muslims live in the Netherlands, roughly six percent of the population, primarily of Moroccan or Turkish descent. Among younger generations, the pro-Israel perspective of their parents is often absent.
From 2010 to 2024, Mark Rutte led the Dutch government. A vocal supporter of Israel, he advocated for its security and maintained close ties with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During his record-long tenure, relations...
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