The call from former party leader Lodewijk Asscher in particular is remarkable: the PvdA prominent and former Vice prime minister have always kept themselves on the plain in recent years over the party rate not to be at his feet. Now, however, the size also appears to be full for him. “Let’s stand aside of innocent civilians who are in danger of becoming a victim of violence,” is his call. This goes against the plans of PvdA/GL group in the Lower House.
The call also comes at a spicy moment: a few hours before a left -wing nuclear fusion is discussed at the congresses of PvdA and GL in Nieuwegein. In a motion, the prominent figures demand a ‘reconsideration’ of the ‘Piri motion’ and ‘restoring unity within the PvdA’.
Fear of tens of thousands of extra deaths
They note that the proposal of PvdA/GL Nederland can no longer contribute to the defense of Israel, while the violence in the Middle East is increasingly making victims. They indicate that the ‘completely reprehensible’ policy of the Netanyahu government must be challenged, but that due to the loss of rocket defense due to lack of parts (including from the Netherlands), this could lead to tens of thousands of extra innocent civilian casualties, both Palestinians, Israeli Arabs, Christians as Jewish.
Remove
They demand that the party board ‘distances distance’ from the Piri motion, which rather calls on no more defense weapons to send to Israel. According to the PvdA people, on the basis of “both international law and the principle of solidarity, our party must always be on the side of innocent citizens when they are in danger of becoming the victim of violence.”
Congress under high voltage
This puts the congress under high voltage on Saturday, partly because PvdA/GL leader Frans Timmermans supported the Piri motion on Thursday and defended it extensively. That situation caused a lot of anger in the Lower House. The PvdA/GL plan was therefore resolutely voted out. Only PvdA/GL, SP, DENK and the animal party voted in favor, it appears that it appears to be great dismay of a part of its own supporters.