Onze ambassadeur in israel, Caspar Veldkamp, schept in Jerusalem Post op over de vriendschap Nederland-Israel : The Netherlands is Israel’s fifth-largest trading partner. Israel’s imports from the Netherlands in 2013 were $2.75 billion, excluding diamonds, while exports to the Netherlands were $2.1 billion excluding diamonds. Israeli companies invest heavily in the Netherlands, especially in transport, fuel and footwear. As for Dutch investments in Israel, Veldkamp cites Philips, the technology company that has been active in Israel since 1948, with local headquarters in Haifa. Philips provides some 600 jobs in Israel. Dutch Ambassador Veldkamp maintains close personal relations with Yad Vashem and the Ghetto Fighters House. There are some 14,000 Dutch nationals living in Israel, he says, most of whom still have family and friends in the Netherlands. And there are some 10,000 Israelis living in the Netherlands who maintain contact with family and friends here. That number, he claims, is greater than the combined Israeli population of France, Italy and Belgium. Last year Veldkamp accompanied Shimon Peres visiting King Willem-Alexander shortly after his coronation. Peres will be back in Holland December 14 for a fund-raising event by the Collective Israel Action Organization, which raises money for various Israeli social-welfare projects. Veldkamp says King Willem Alexander represents the new generation not only in age but also in ideas and approach. Asked about his country’s attitude toward unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, Veldkamp says he does not see a political majority in parliament supporting such a move. It has to be effective and real. Veldkamp also insists that the Netherlands is committed to Israel’s security, noting that Dutch soldiers are stationed with UNTSO, UNDOF and MFO contingents. jpost/…/Meet-the-ambassador-Flying-high-3830…
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 11:03:51 +0000
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