Brussels: Since the onset of Israel's conflict with Gaza on October 7, a significant number of European politicians have resigned in protest against their governments' policies, which some describe as passive amid accusations of genocide in Gaza.
According to Anadolu Agency, these resignations have spanned several countries, including the Netherlands, the UK, Spain, and Ireland, as political figures express their dissent over their governments' handling of the situation.
In the Netherlands, Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp resigned following a disagreement within the ruling coalition regarding sanctions on Israel. His proposals, which included an embargo on goods from illegal Israeli settlements and a recognition of Palestinian statehood, were blocked by coalition partners. This prompted the centrist New Social Contract (NSC) to withdraw all its ministers, including the acting deputy prime minister, from the caretaker government. Prime Minister Dick Schoof, expressing regret over the resignations, acknowledged the gravity of the situation in Gaza and canceled a planned visit to Ukraine to address the internal political crisis.
In the UK, the Labour Party faced a wave of resignations from MPs protesting Prime Minister Keir Starmer's stance on the conflict. Labour MP Imran Hussain, among others, stepped down from his position to advocate for a ceasefire. The resignations reflect a broader discontent within the party, with MPs voting in favor of a ceasefire despite the party leadership's resistance. Additionally, a senior Foreign Office official, Mark Smith, resigned over the UK's arms sales to Israel, citing concerns over potential complicity in war crimes.
Spain saw tensions within its coalition government escalate when the junior partner Sumar blocked Podemos leader Ione Belarra from speaking during a parliamentary debate on Palestine. This incident led to the resignation of all five Podemos lawmakers from the Sumar alliance. Belarra had been a vocal critic of Israel, accusing its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of genocide, which further fueled the political split.
In Ireland, human rights lawyer Michael Farrell resigned from the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, criticizing the body's silence on Gaza. Farrell, who had been a representative for 14 years, expressed his inability to continue serving on the commission without addressing the attacks on Gaza.
Meanwhile, in Belgium, Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot warned that the coalition government faces potential collapse unless it adopts a firmer stance on human rights violations by Israel. Prevot plans to present a memo with proposals to Prime Minister Bart De Wever, signaling potential political leverage if the issue remains unresolved.
These resignations highlight the growing political tensions across Europe as governments grapple with their positions on the ongoing conflict in Gaza.