THE HAGUE (EJP)—Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said on Sunday that he understands Israel's moves, given the scores of rockets that are being fired from Gaza onto Israeli targets by the Islamist Hamas movement.
In an interview on Dutch public television, Balkenende refused to condemn Israel for its military action. He called for international pressure on both sides.
"Both parties should acknowledge that it is in the interest of their people if they renounce violence," the Christian-Democrat politician said.
Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen faced criticism in the Dutch parliament for his reaction to the Israeli operation on Gaza.
Hours after Israel began attacking Hamas targets, Verhagen condemned the provocations by Hamas "that led to this situation' and called on Israel to "show the greatest possible restraint to prevent further civilian casualties."
The leader of the opposition Socialist Party said the Foreign Minister had given an "unworthy and one-sided reaction."
"The appeal he made to Israel is entirely insufficient. It is a disproportionate reaction to a disproportionately violent action taken by Israel. The only appropriate reaction would be to condemn Israel and urge the country to cease the violence," Agnes Kant said.
Another opposition MP, Harry van Bommel, admitted Monday that he called for a new Palestinian intifada against Israel at an anti-violence demonstration in Amsterdam on Saturday, but added that he meant "civil disobedience and peaceful protest".
His remarks prompted a quick response from conservative MP Hans van Baalen and his Christian Union colleague Joël Voordewind, both ardent Israel supporters.
"Any call to violence against Israeli citizens is repulsive," they said.