Thank you, Mr. President,

Allow me to thank France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for organizing these consultations. 

As UN Secretary-General Guterres already said in 2018: there is no plan B. A negotiated two-state solution is the only chance for a lasting peace. These words were echoed and put under great urgency by UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Kaag during the meeting of the U.N. Security Council on February 25th. We urge parties to find one another in their shared humanity and overlapping needs.

The endless suffering, destruction and heartbreaking pain during the conflict between Israel and Hamas proves once again that there are no winners in a war. The situation on the Westbank is deteriorating quickly and is becoming more fragile by the day. It is time to break the violence and path of destruction; a negotiated and sustainable two-state solution is needed more than ever. 

This requires as a first step the full commitment by all parties to adhere to the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, and the continuation of the negotiations. The fighting must stop, humanitarian aid must always be provided in accordance with international humanitarian law, and the hostages have to return to their loved ones. These negotiations should lead to a permanent end to hostilities.

The only solution to this conflict is however a broader and a political one. The Netherlands will continue to strive for a lasting solution that has the support of both parties, for which the two-state solution remains the basis. An independent, viable Palestinian state existing alongside a secure Israel is important. The Kingdom of the Netherlands strongly condemns actions that go against international law and bring the two-state solution further out of sight. 

In this regard, we reiterate our position regarding the Gaza strip: Gaza is for the Palestinians; it has been in the past and will be in the future. The principles as stated by the G7 on the future of Gaza remain leading for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and we welcome the Arab plan for the future of Gaza as a solid base for further discussion and commend the Arab leadership for its efforts. 

The Netherlands respects the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice and recognizes the Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024. We urge all parties to cease any unilateral actions and comply with international law, and to implement the provisional measures of the International Court of Justice and its obligations as expressed in this Advisory Opinion.

Because of this, the Kingdom of the Netherlands welcomes the conference in June with exactly this goal: the two-state solution. 

We would like to see that the outcome document contains concrete steps towards reconciliation, where also the conclusions of the meetings of the Global Alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution are taken into account. We would like to see working groups on water,  the future of Gaza and reconstruction, and economic foundations for peace and financial stability. 

The Kingdom of the Netherlands looks forward to working together with you in the run up to the conference in June.

Thank you.