Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders criticized the highest-ranking military officer, General Onno Eichelsheim. Wilders criticized the statements of the Commander of the Armed Forces on the Beutenhof television program about the Israeli army’s liberation of four hostages in the Gaza Strip.
“An incomprehensible, inappropriate and incorrect comment from @CDS_Defense. If I were Defense Minister, I would have contacted him to issue an order on this matter and correct it,” Wilders said on Channel X. Criticism of the head of the armed forces from politicians is exceptional.
Eichelsheim said in Buttenhof that he found the amount of force needed by Israel to free the four “extremely complex.” According to Hamas-controlled authorities in Gaza, 274 people were killed in the operation. It is also said that three Israeli hostages died.
VVD is also surprised
According to the general, Israel “is currently using disproportionate force to achieve its goals.” More than 37,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, which killed 1,200 people.
The VVD also said it was “surprised” by the CDS’s statements. According to Robin Brekelmans, a VVD MP, the top soldier does not have the necessary information to make the legal ruling on “disproportionate force.” “Normally, #CDS is always worded very carefully and thoughtfully. I just assume that was inaccurate,” Brekelmans said on Channel X.
