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Israeli prime minister begins two-day visit to the NetherlandsWednesday 18 January 2012 Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in the Netherlands on Wednesday afternoon for a two-day visit. It is the first time in 15 years an Israeli premier has visited The Hague, the NRC reports. The official aim of the visit is to intensify relations between the two countries. A close relationship with Israel is central to the minority government’s foreign policy and Israel is the only country to be named in the coalition agreement, the paper points out. The Netherlands has a history of being a major supporter of Israel. It was one of five countries to veto Palestinian membership of Unesco. Last September, magazine Spiegel claimed the EU was unable to reach a common position on the Middle East conflict because of the Netherlands' pro-Israel stance. Friends According to the NRC’s correspondent in Tel Aviv, the visit is also letting Israel know that the country is not alone and does have friends, as opposition parties claim. And a spokesman for the prime minister told the Parool the visit is 'to thank' the Netherlands for its support in the international arena. The trip includes a lunch with prime minister Mark Rutte and a meeting with queen Beatrix.
© DutchNews.nl
Cherry picking countries for complaining about human rights violations is way too easy. No country is innocent. Getting all worked up about this while other countries with filthy records like Turkey or India are omitted is pandering to the selective news the media feed you. You should either accept we are all hypocrites or protest every head of state who visits. By smArt | January 19, 2012 3:10 PM During the Second world war Dutch from all walks of life gladly collaborated with the Nazis to deport and murder innocent Jews. Today the Dutch political establishment co-operates with Israel while that country murders Palestinians and steals their land. A rather pathetic record for the country that purports to be the most tolerant in Europe. By SAS | January 20, 2012 12:48 AM
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I am against this visit and the NL- Israel relationship. Israel, and the US, have violated so many people's human rights that its sickening. And NL embraces this? Sad.
By Bill | January 18, 2012 7:16 PM