The Netherlands bears responsibility for providing protection to the staff of the International Criminal Court

The Dutch National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism issued a document titled «Assessment of Threats from State Actors», in which Israel was placed on the Dutch Counterterrorism Agency’s list of foreign countries that pose a threat to the Netherlands. The agency confirmed that Israel had made significant efforts to manipulate Dutch public opinion and influence political decision-makers through disinformation campaigns.
Due to the importance and implications of this report, the Legal Department of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine is republishing the key elements of the report:
– The report warns that Israeli actions and practices may have been intended to influence public opinion and could harm social and political stability in the Netherlands.
– The intelligence warning issued by the primary Dutch agency responsible for assessing national security threats comes in the aftermath of incidents that occurred in Amsterdam in November 2024, involving fans of the Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv, which had lost 5–0 at the time.
– The document refers to a special letter sent by the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism to Dutch MPs ahead of a parliamentary session, as well as to Dutch journalists and politicians following the events surrounding the aforementioned football match. The letter claimed that the Dutch organizations involved in those events were linked to Hamas. This document was later used to support pro-Israel proposals.
 –  Following those events and the accompanying Israeli interventions aimed at redirecting the course of investigations, Dutch security sources expressed concern that Israeli interference in the Netherlands’ domestic politics has become an unwelcome development and a matter of serious concern at the highest levels of the ministries involved in national security.
–  The report by the Dutch National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism stated that “the document distributed by agencies linked to Israel also contains unusual personal details about Dutch citizens,” warning the Ministries of Justice, Security, and Foreign Affairs that these individuals may face threats, harassment, or even physical assaults.
–  In another highly significant area, the agency expressed concern in its report about the growing threats posed by both Israel and the United States toward the International Criminal Court, headquartered in The Hague. It noted that “such actions could undermine or even completely paralyze the court›s operations”.
–  The report included the agency’s assessment of the implications of American and Israeli pressure on the ICC, stating that such measures pose a direct threat to the international legal system, damage the Netherlands’ legal reputation, and undermine the standing of the court as a credible international judicial institution. As the host country of many international legal bodies, the Netherlands bears a special responsibility to safeguard their independence from any external interference, especially in light of these threats, which constitute blatant external pressure on international justice.

Legal Department of the Democratic Front:
Dutch media are shedding light on growing tensions in Dutch-Israeli relations, reflected in a number of official Dutch positions. The Netherlands is expected to take firmer stances toward Israel, as multiple indicators point to a serious rift between the two sides, particularly in light of Israel›s war on the Gaza Strip. These indicators include:
– Explicit accusations against Israel of “grave violations of international humanitarian law” for blocking humanitarian aid, as well as Dutch support for calls within the EU to reassess the strategic partnership agreement between the EU and Israel.
– The Netherlands’ decision to ban two Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, from entering its territory due to their repeated incitement to violence against Palestinians and their calls for ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the expansion of illegal settlements. The Dutch government also summoned the Israeli ambassador in The Hague for a formal reprimand, while Israel previously issued a travel ban on its soldiers to the Netherlands.
– The Dutch Foreign Ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador over allegations of Israeli espionage targeting the International Criminal Court, including claims that the former head of Mossad was personally involved in a secret plot to pressure former ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda.
– A poll conducted by human rights organizations in May revealed that half of the Dutch population believes Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, and most do not support their government’s policies toward Israel. The survey, commissioned by several organizations, found that around 40% believe the Netherlands should reduce its support for Israel and take concrete actions against it. More than 51% supported a ban on trade with Israeli settlements, while 43% said the Netherlands should impose economic sanctions on Israel if it continues building and expanding settlements in Palestinian territories.
The Legal Department of the Democratic Front  for the Liberation of Palestine extends its greetings and appreciation to all Dutch institutions, activists supporting the Palestinian people and opposing the war of extermination, as well as to the Arab and Muslim communities in the Netherlands. It views their widespread popular mobilization across Dutch cities as already bearing fruit in terms of shifting government policies toward Israel.
The department calls on all institutions and activists across Europe to intensify their efforts and demands, pressuring pro-Israel governments to change their policies and uphold the principles of international and humanitarian law — principles that are being violated daily by the Israeli occupation and its war criminals.