News item | 11-10-2023 | 14:56
Since October 7, 2023, there have been major fighting between Israel and Hamas. The number of dead and injured is rising on all sides of the conflict. Marriët Schuurman (Dutch ambassador to Israel) and Michel Rentenaar (Dutch representative in the Palestinian Territories) talk about the situation. And what happens behind the scenes to help Dutch people.
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Hamas attacks from Gaza
“It started on October 7 with the rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza,” says Ambassador Marriët Schuurman. “The air raid siren went off and we immediately had to go to the shelters. At first it seemed like an exercise, as we often do. But it soon became clear that there were large-scale terrorist attacks by Hamas. And then you know that you are in a completely different scenario.” At that time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs scaled up the crisis structure.
“In a short time we held crisis consultations, spoke with other EU ambassadors and with contacts in Israel. And together with colleagues in The Hague, you must get answers to the most important questions at a rapid pace: How many Dutch people are there in the country? Where are they? Are they in danger? Are our embassy colleagues safe? How can we help Dutch people?”
And then you know that you are in a completely different scenario.
Michel Rentenaar describes how he experienced the start of the violence from East Jerusalem. The air raid siren went off there too. “I woke up with a start, saw the messages and immediately got to work. We immediately convened a crisis team from the representation. We have already practiced many crisis scenarios together, so everyone knows what their role is and what they have to do. And a lot has to happen at the same time. One is concerned with travel advice, the other investigates safe routes and the options for Dutch people to leave the country, or arranges travel documents for Dutch people. Together we put our shoulders to the wheel. And we will continue to do that.”
Contact with Dutch people in Israel and the Palestinian Territories
“Dutch nationals in need can call the Foreign Affairs information and helpline day and night (tel: +31 247 247 247),” says Marriët. “The embassy has active contact with various groups of Dutch people in different parts of Israel. Some have lived here for years, others are visiting or on holiday. We are doing everything we can to help them in this terrifying situation. We inform Dutch people through our Information Service, also about options to leave the country.”
On October 10, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense announced that they would deploy a military transport aircraft to repatriate stranded travelers. New charters are planned in the coming days. Stranded Dutch people who have registered with the Foreign Affairs Information Service We will continue to call with information about new flights in the coming days.
There are far fewer Dutch people in the Palestinian Territories, says Michel. “It is only a small group, incomparable to the number of Dutch people in Israel. We have intensive contact with these Dutch people and send them important information. For example, about safe routes and whether certain bridges are open or not. There were two Dutch people in Gaza at first, but fortunately they were able to get away in time.”
The posts in Tel Aviv and Ramallah are approximately 70 km apart. They also work together a lot. “We participate in crisis consultations together and make analyzes of the situation in the region together.” And for both posts, all regular work has come to a standstill. “So we focus on the current situation, to provide as much help as possible to Dutch people.”
Important message for stranded travelers
Marriët and Michel have the same message for Dutch people in Israel and the Palestinian Territories: “We call on all Dutch travelers who have become stuck to register via the Foreign Affairs Information Service. This way we know who is there, and we can share important information with them and contact them about the repatriation.”
Big shock for colleagues
The staff at the posts in Tel Aviv (Israel) and Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) work day and night to help Dutch people. At the same time, they also have to deal with a major shock themselves. “We are very concerned about the situation,” Michel explains. “The effect of the Hamas terrorist attack is enormous. And there is now enormous suffering and civilian casualties on all sides of the conflict. The situation in Gaza is hell, there is no other possible way to describe it. And it is uncertain how the situation will develop further.”
“There are colleagues at the post who are now experiencing a war for the first time. That is why I ensure that they are adequately supported. For example, this week we held a meeting, also for the partners of our colleagues. To explain: what happens, what are the scenarios, and what should we take into account?”
Our hope is for a peaceful solution, in which international and humanitarian law is respected.
This is also a situation that they have never experienced before for colleagues at the embassy in Israel, says Marriët. “The seriousness of what happened, the images of men, women, elderly people and children who have been killed or kidnapped. It’s too terrible for words. And colleagues worry a lot about their friends and family. For safety reasons we work from home. We regularly have to go to the shelter. The emotions are great, but we have a lot of contact with each other. We are prepared for a lot, but no one knows where this is going. Our hope is for a peaceful solution, in which international and humanitarian law is respected.”