Herzog Accuses Dutch PM Of Distorting His Remarks

President Herzog accused Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof of mischaracterizing their conversation today (Monday) over the phone and omitting key details:

"Sorry Prime Minister, with all due respect — this tweet does not reflect the spirit and details of the call. Nor does it reflect my crystal clear position that it will be a HUGE mistake if EU takes such steps especially in light of Israel's ongoing and upgraded humanitarian efforts. I am especially saddened that the plight of our hostages and the demand for their immediate release are not even mentioned!"

Here is Schoof's original statement:

"Today I had an additional meeting with the deputy prime ministers, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defence about the catastrophic situation in Gaza.

"The government’s goal is crystal clear: the people of Gaza must be given immediate, unfettered, safe access to humanitarian aid. If the EU decides tomorrow that Israel is not in compliance with the relevant agreements on this, the Netherlands supports the plan to suspend Israeli participation in the EU research programme Horizon. If that proves to be the case, tomorrow in Brussels the Netherlands will also press for further European measures, for example in the realm of trade.

"We are also considering taking national measures to increase the pressure. For its part, Hamas must fully cooperate in ensuring access to humanitarian aid for the suffering population of Gaza. I just conveyed this message in a phone call with Israeli president Herzog.

"Later today, the government will send a letter to the House of Representatives to explain what the Netherlands is doing in this regard, both in an individual capacity and as a member of the EU."