Van Agt in Parliament: Sanctions Against Israel are Needed
Christian Democrat Van Agt presented himself as spokesman of the civic action group Tear Down the Wall. The action group wants sanctions to be launched against Israel because of the fence the country is building largely on Palestinian territory. The politician holds that it goes against international law. And he wants the victims to be compensated. With 64,000 signatures, Van Agt got the issue on the Parliamentary agenda.
The prospective seven hundred kilometre separation is to be made of stone, barbed wire and fencing. In Van Agt’s view, international law requires action against Israel. He proposes refusing visas to colonists, stopping military collaboration and “intensifying the bilateral relationship is out of the question.”
The 82-year-old former Prime Minister did not get the support of Parliament or the Cabinet for his proposal. Labour Party Minister of Foreign Affairs Frans Timmermans feels sanctions would undermine the American efforts to get Israel and the Palestinians back at the negotiation table. Van Agt does see a positive point though. The issue is back in the limelight. And the wind will blow in a different direction if the American plan fails. He feels it has become clearer what direction that will be as far as Israel is concerned.
Parliament was divided on the question. The right-wing and small Christian parties are not in favour of sanctions. Democrats 66 does not want to intensify relations with Israel and the Green Left and the Socialist Party are in favour of sanctions. It was striking that the Christian Democrats did not exclude this possibility. “If Israel makes a viable Palestinian state impossible, the European Union Association Agreement with Israel can be cancelled, says Christian Democrat Member of Parliament Pieter Omtzigt. The Labour Party is waiting to see what the result will be of Timmermans’ trip to Israel next week, but does want to increase the pressure.
Dries van Agt was Prime Minister from 1977 to 1982 in three Coalition Cabinets. Before that he was Minister of Justice in the Den Uyl and other Cabinets. After he left The Hague, he served as Commissioner of the Queen in North Brabant and European Union representative in Japan. At a later age Van Agt, who was quite pro-Israel as Prime Minister, became a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause.
This is the speech Van Agt gave in Parliament:
