International

SP Member of Parliament and foreign affairs spokesman Harry van Bommel is calling for an immediate parliamentary debate, in the presence of Foreign Minister Ben Bot, on the crisis in the Middle East.

In the SP's opinion, Parliament cannot afford to wait until the summer recess finishes at the end of August before debating the crisis. "The war between Hezbollah and Israel is escalating rapidly,” Mr Van Bommel said. “A cease-fire is urgently needed. I want Minister Bot to tell Parliament what he intends to do to bring such a cease-fire nearer. Is the Netherlands prepared to confront the parties to the conflict and make it clear that the present way of proceeding is unacceptable? The minister must use all available means, because the present level of escalation allows little room for a wait-and-see approach."