A proposal from GroenLinks and D66 to recall MPs from recess to discuss the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and the Dutch position has failed to reach a majority, broadcaster NOS reported on Thursday.

SP, Denk, Volt, and PvdD supported the proposal, but without the backing of PVV, NSC, BBB, and SGP, it garnered only 47 votes, far below the required 76. MPs from other parliamentary parties – including the VVD – failed to respond at all.

The proposal came in the wake of an urgent call from over 100 aid organisations about the humanitarian situation in Palestine.

In a letter to MPs, CARE, Médecins sans Frontières, Oxfam International, Plan International and Save the Children warned a massive famine is starting to engulf the whole of Gaza, while trucks full of food, water and medical supplies are waiting at the border for Israel to allow them in.

They also said their own staff are also at risk of Israeli fire as they join the queues for food at the distribution points.

The organisations want caretaker foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp to call a meeting of the European Council, a proposal backed by GroenLinks-PvdA MP Kati  Piri.

“EU ministers decided against any sanctions against Israel. The Netherlands must now convene a meeting of the European Council and, in the meantime, come up with national measures,” she said.

Earlier this month, the Netherlands joined 25 other countries in a call to Israel to end the violence and allow aid in.

That is not going far enough, according to D66 MP Jan Peternotte, who pointed out that over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed at food distribution points. “And the cabinet does nothing. Not in the EU, not in the Netherlands,” he said.

PvdD MP Christine Teunissen said the “deafening silence” from Veldkamp was “unbearable”. Paternotte called the refusal of the parties to debate the matter “an admission of weakness”.