Your Excellencies,

An independent, viable Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel.
Some may call it a delusion, a myth, or mere diplomatic theatrics.
But for the Netherlands, it remains the core principle guiding all efforts to resolve the deep-rooted conflict in the Middle East.
The brutal attacks by Hamas on the 7th of October 2023 ushered in a period of excessive violence, enormous human suffering in Gaza, and ever-deepening division between Israelis and Palestinians.
Last year, during a visit to the Netherlands, Palestinian peace activist Hiba Husseini remarked that ‘many have lost hope’.
Yet, she hasn’t.
Ms Husseini was being honoured, alongside Israeli Yossi Beilin, for her persistent efforts to achieve a lasting solution to the conflict.
Ms Husseini said: ‘Yossi and I will never give up – for parents who continue to hope for a peaceful future for their children, and for us Palestinians who long for an end to the occupation.’
This is precisely why we must persist in our decades-long pursuit of a two-state solution.
Efforts to achieve stability and peace are now more essential than ever.

At the same time, it’s obvious that we’re facing huge obstacles.
The war and the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza are at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
To stop the immense suffering, it is crucial that both parties agree to an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
The people of Gaza must receive the help they so urgently need: food, medicines and fuel.
The humanitarian blockade of Gaza is a violation of international law – and is simply unacceptable.
In this light, the recent EU agreement with Israel to ensure that aid is delivered to people across Gaza is a welcome first step that must be met with decisive and meaningful action. We call on Israel to turn the tide, and to guarantee safe, unhindered and unconditional access for professional, mandated humanitarian organisations.
Another major obstacle to solving the conflict is the Israeli settlement policy.
These policies include steps and statements that allude to annexation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, such as the decision to proceed with the E1 settlement plan.
We strongly urge the Israeli authorities to reverse these policies.

At the same time, we’ve to acknowledge that Hamas remains a serious threat to Israel.
Currently, Hamas still holds 50 hostages, no more than 22 of whom are believed to be still alive.
This ongoing nightmare has to stop.
Hamas must immediately and unconditionally release all Israeli hostages in Gaza, Hamas must be disarmed and cannot be part of any future government in Gaza.

Despite all these challenges, it’s important to continue efforts for the state-building process on the Palestinian side.
Over the years, the Netherlands has invested in the Palestinian water, energy and economic sectors.
This May, the Netherlands and Morocco jointly organised a meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.
It was the first meeting of the alliance to be organised jointly by both an Arab country and a European country – which shows how important it is to keep building bridges.
One of the conclusions was that it’s crucial to keep strengthening Palestinian institutions and working towards a viable economy.
Equally vital is the removal of restrictive measures imposed by the Israeli authorities, including the ongoing threats to suspend the essential banking waiver and the withholding of Palestinian tax revenues.
These tax revenues belong to the Palestinian people and are crucial to sustaining their economy.
We call on Israel to release them without delay.
A well-functioning Palestinian Authority, which provides healthcare, education, safety and security to millions of Palestinians, is in the interest of both parties.
It is also in the interest of Israel’s security, which the Netherlands fully supports.

Ladies and gentlemen,
Last year, referring to a two-state solution, the Israeli author David Grossman said: ‘If we totally lose hope then we are defeated. Defeated in a deeper way than losing a war.’
His words are a strong appeal to continue our efforts – by persisting and working together with strong individuals like Yossi Beilin and Hiba Husseini in the Middle East.
The vast majority of Israelis and Palestinians just want peace. And we must make every effort to revive the peace process and bring that peace closer.
Thank you.