Hamas lauds Dutch FM resigning over Gaza; Sa’ar: Europe must choose: Israel or terrorists

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar sharply criticizes outgoing Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp on X following his resignation, after failing to secure new EU sanctions against Israel over the war in Gaza — a move that earned him praise from the Hamas terror organization.

Reposting from Al Jazeera’s Arabic-language X account, which reported on a Hamas statement praising Veldkamp, Sa’ar writes: “Hamas praises outgoing Dutch Foreign Minister @CasparVeldkamp, the initiator of sanctions against Israel in the EU.”

Hamas praises outgoing Dutch Foreign Minister @CasparVeldkamp, the initiator of sanctions against Israel in the European Union. Just as it praised Macron and his partners for recognizing a “Palestinian state” – a move Hamas classified as “the fruits of October 7.” Europe must… https://t.co/2NU9wBteMI

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) August 24, 2025

“Europe must choose: Israel or Hamas,” he adds. “Every action against Israel directly serves the jihadist axis in the Middle East.”

Last week, Veldkamp, a 61-year-old former ambassador to Israel, informed the Dutch parliament of his plan to introduce new measures in response to Israel’s planned offensive in Gaza City and other densely populated areas, but failed to gain the support of his coalition partners. He told reporters he resigned because he felt unable “to implement policy myself and chart the course I deem necessary.”