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Dutch Politics: Dutch government issues entry ban for Israeli ministers and summons ambassador
The current situation is "intolerable and indefensible," Foreign Minister Veldkamp wrote in a letter to the House of Representatives.
Prime Minister Schoof previously announced that the Netherlands would take its own measures if it emerged that Israel was not complying with European agreements on humanitarian aid in Gaza.
One of these measures is summoning the Israeli ambassador to the minister. The minister will once again strongly urge Israel to change course and comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law.
In the European context, the Netherlands wants the trade portion of the association agreement with Israel suspended if the European Commission concludes today that Israel is not complying with humanitarian agreements. The cabinet is imposing sanctions against extremist Israeli ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir. They will be registered as undesirable aliens and will therefore no longer be allowed to enter the Netherlands.
The cabinet points out that Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have repeatedly incited violence against the Palestinian population, persistently advocated the expansion of illegal settlements, and called for ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip.
Furthermore, the export of weapons to Israel will be restricted due to the modification of several permits. Veldkamp further states that it is "virtually impossible" that, in the current situation, a permit will be granted for the export of weapons that could be used by Israel in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank.
Since the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, the cabinet has rejected eleven permit applications for the export of military goods and so-called dual-use goods. Two permits for the export of components of the Israeli Iron Dome air defense system via Germany have been granted.
Prime Minister Schoof, the deputy prime ministers, Foreign Minister Veldkamp, and Defense Minister Brekelmans held emergency consultations on Monday regarding the measures. They met at the Catshuis in The Hague during the summer recess.
After that meeting, Schoof stated that the Netherlands, in addition to its own measures, will also advocate for additional measures within the EU. Until now, there has been disagreement on this issue within Europe. Tomorrow, the agreements between Israel and the EU will be evaluated. European measures against Israel may also be proposed at that time.
(Source: NOS.nl)
Malaysian Supreme Court: Investigation into Dutch model's death to be reopened
(NETHERLANDS / MALAYSIA) The Malaysian Supreme Court has ruled that the investigation into the 2017 death of Ivana Smit will be reopened. The 18-year-old Dutch model died under suspicious circumstances after going home with an American couple in Kuala Lumpur.The court also ordered the Malaysian government and three other parties to pay Smit's family 1.1 million ringgit (over €225,000) in compensation, citing authorities' failure to investigate her death.
A court ruled in 2019 that the death had been an accident, despite the finding of evidence of a possible struggle. According to a British private investigator and a Dutch pathologist, Smit was likely already dead before she fell from the balcony. They called it a cover-up. Later, the Malaysian police decided to investigate the case as a homicide. The American couple had been allowed to leave the country in 2018.
Smit's mother filed a lawsuit against the Malaysian authorities in 2020, alleging the family's investigation was poorly conducted.
The Malaysian Supreme Court has now ruled in her favor. One of the judges listed a series of shortcomings. These included mistakes made at the crime scene, shortcomings in preserving evidence, and inadequate investigation of witnesses and suspects.
The Supreme Court also pointed to the ignoring of foreign evidence and the rejection of expert testimony.
Sébas Diekstra, the lawyer for the bereaved families, welcomed the ruling. "This means that the original suspects, the last people to see Ivana alive, will have to be re-examined." For the family, this finally means recognition, Diekstra writes on X. "After eight years of disbelief, frustration, and struggle. But it also signifies a new phase: one that must still lead to the truth, to clarity about what was done to Ivana, and to justice."
Ivana Smit's relatives never believed her death was an accident. According to her father, his daughter had bruises on her neck. Neighbors also reportedly heard screaming and arguing from the American couple's apartment the morning Ivana died.
The Americans said in a 2018 interview that they had been in a sexual relationship with Smit for some time and that they were asleep when Smit fell. Malaysia has requested Interpol to issue a search warrant for the couple in 2024.
(Source: NOS.nl)
