El Al passengers' humiliation was just the beginning: Israel's closest friend in Europe has turned around
The article describes the collapse of relations between Israel and the Netherlands under the Schoof government, focusing on economic sanctions, humiliating checks on El Al passengers in Amsterdam, and European policy against settlements. The article presents the shift from the warm relationship with Wilders to the current institutional hostility.
Eli Leon's article in Maariv describes the severe deterioration in Israel-Netherlands relations under the Schoof government, presenting a series of hostile measures: a sweeping trade ban, humiliating checks on El Al passengers in Amsterdam, and direct sanctions against Netanyahu's associates. The article notes that the coalition agreement from January 2026 stipulates that sanctions will remain in effect until significant steps toward peace are taken. The Dutch government, it claims, distinguishes between the Netanyahu government and the State of Israel, supports the establishment of a Palestinian state, and condemns the Hamas attack on October 7. The article highlights the contrast between the position of Geert Wilders, who supported Israel but is not in power, and current policy. Also mentioned is the internal dispute in the Netherlands, where even within the D66 party, criticism is heard against the government for not applying sufficient pressure on Israel.