Policy through Pressure?

Abstract This study examines Dutch-American relations in the Arab-Israeli conflict between 1967 and 1974. The main question is: Why did the Dutch government continue to support Israel between 1967 and 1974? Was this due to American pressure? First, this research elaborates on the background and the origins of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Furthermore, it explores the background of Dutch-Israeli and American-Israeli relations. After providing the reader with sufficient context on the topic, the last two chapters focus on Dutch and American policies towards the Six Day War (1967) and the October War and subsequent oil crisis (1973-1974). The last two chapters examine if the United States pressured the Dutch government in supporting Israel. This research is based on both primary and secondary sources. The primary sources include sources from the Roosevelt Study Center, transcripts of Dutch parliamentary meetings, and WikiLeaks, as well as two interviews.