The future right-wing ruling coalition in the Netherlands intends to move the Dutch embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
The coalition agreement, which right-wing populist Geert Wilders presented today in The Hague together with three other right-wing parties, provides for a date to be set for such a step. The decision must take into account diplomatic interests and a possible future settlement of the Middle East conflict, the agreement said.
Moving embassies to Jerusalem is a controversial step internationally because of the disputed status of East Jerusalem, which was annexed decades ago by Israel.
Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its indivisible capital, while the Palestinians want East Jerusalem to become the capital of their future state. The coalition agreement of the right-wing parties in the Netherlands states that the issue of the city's status should be resolved during future peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
The US moved its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in May 2018 following a decision by then US President Donald Trump. The radical populist Wilders first took the initiative to move the Dutch embassy to Jerusalem in 2022, but failed because he did not get enough support in parliament. Wilders and his anti-Islamic party won the parliamentary elections in the Netherlands with an unexpectedly large lead, DPA points out.