An increasing number of former Dutch ministers are criticising Israel. They have joined forces in a new group called The Rights Forum, which stands up for the Palestinians' rights and which has said it wants to exert diplomatic pressure on Israel to obey international law.

The list of names announced on Thursday is a roll-call of prominent Dutch elder statesmen. Former prime minister Dries van Agt who took the initiative is there, and so are three former foreign ministers: liberal Hans van Mierlo and Christian democrats Pieter Kooijmans and Hans van den Broek. Former EU commissioner and ex-Finance minister Frans Andriessen is also a supporter.

International law
Mr Andriessen told Radio Netherlands Worldwide, "Israel owes its very founding and existence to international law. Israel was founded on condition that there would be two states, which never happened. I believe that Israel should respect the same international law in its contacts with the Palestinians."

The Rights Forum wants Israel to stop building settlements on Palestinian territory, and to tear down the wall between the West Bank and Israel. The group wants to raise diplomatic pressure on Israel, and says the Netherlands should take the lead.

Mr Andriessen said, "The Netherlands are nearly always siding with those who put on the brakes when sanctions against Israel are mooted. That will have to change. It should be made clear to Israel that it can no longer oppress the Palestinians, humiliating them and keeping them poor. Because that is exactly what is happening."

Naive
The Christian democrats in the Dutch cabinet are on quite a different track. Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen repeatedly made it clear that he has little confidence in a hardline approach. Mr Verhagen, who calls himself a friend of Israel, wants to change the country's mind through reason and negotiation. Elder statesman Andriessen, a fellow Christian democrat, says Mr Verhagen is naive. Sharp sanctions should be imposed, if Israel fails to stick to earlier agreements, Mr Andriessen says.

"There are times when you simply have to talk with your gloves off. If Israel continues to ignore international rules, the Netherlands and other countries have to stop reinforcing and expanding diplomatic relations. That will make Israel realise it is becoming isolated. That is the moment when a solution for the Palestinian people moves into view."

The Rights Forum has said it will try and influence public opinion in the coming months through letters to the press and with public conferences. The hoped-for effect should be that the Dutch government will change its policy towards Israel.

The wall fencing off the Palestinian West Bank(Photo: FlickR/flippominelli)