Wilders to visit West Bank and meet Netanyahu on trip to Israel

Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right PVV party, will visit the occupied West Bank as part of his controversial visit to Israel which will also include meetings with president Isaac Herzog and prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Foreign affairs minister Caspar Veldkamp made clear that the visit was not sanctioned by the government and if Wilders set foot in an illegal settlement on the West Bank it would clash with cabinet policy. They very often do so.” Prime minister Dick Schoof also refused to be drawn into a row, saying he saw “no reason whatsoever” to discuss Wilders’ visit in cabinet, despite Veldkamp saying he would raise it in the ministerial council. Wilders responded to the arrest warrants by saying “the world has gone mad” and Israel should be supported in its efforts to defend itself against “barbaric terrorists who hide in hospitals and schools.” The PVV leader met Israeli technology minister Gila Gamliel in Tel Aviv on Sunday and is also expected to meet the speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana, and the ministers for defence, foreign affairs and energy.