– Dries van Agt, Former Dutch Prime Minister, Passes Away at the Age of 93
– Dries van Agt, Former Dutch Prime Minister, Succumbs at 93.
Dutch Politician and Pro-Palestinian Activist Dries van Agt Passes Away at 93
Background and Biography
Dries van Agt, a prominent Dutch politician and former prime minister of the Netherlands, passed away on February 5 in his hometown of Nijmegen at the age of 93. Born Andreas Antonius Maria van Agt on February 2, 1931, in Geldrop, the Netherlands, he began his career as a law professor before entering politics.
Van Agt rose to prominence as a member of the centrist Christian Democratic Appeal party and served as the prime minister of the Netherlands from 1977 to 1982. During his tenure, he championed progressive laws, including the decriminalization of cannabis use. However, as time went on, he leaned more towards the political left.
Euthanasia and Surprising Announcement
In a surprising turn of events, Dries van Agt and his wife, Eugenie, also 93, passed away together in a joint act of euthanasia. The announcement of their decision came as a shock to many, both within their inner circle and throughout Dutch society. The Rights Forum, an organization founded by van Agt to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, confirmed the news.
According to Gerard Jonkman, the director of the Rights Forum, van Agt’s health had deteriorated after suffering a stroke in 2019. The physical decline was challenging for him, given his previously robust condition.
Political Career and Controversies
Dries van Agt’s political journey began unexpectedly when he was approached to become justice minister under Prime Minister Barend Biesheuvel. He initially found it surprising, stating in a posthumously aired interview with the Dutch public broadcaster, “Never did I think that I could, that I would, become something like that.”
However, his political life was not without strife. In 1972, as justice minister, van Agt faced opposition from the Dutch parliament when he proposed pardoning three Germans convicted of war crimes in World War II. The controversial move, which sparked protests and death threats, was ultimately abandoned.
In 1977, van Agt faced another challenge when a train was hijacked by South Moluccans, leading to a standoff with Dutch marines. The violent end to the hijacking was later questioned, and a government report revealed that three of the hijackers had been unarmed. Despite these controversies, van Agt’s government collapsed in 1982, and he continued to serve as a member of Parliament for his party.
Pro-Palestinian Activism and Legacy
After visiting Israel in 1999, van Agt experienced a “conversion” and began advocating for Palestinian rights. This shift in perspective led him to establish the Rights Forum in 2009, where he served as chairman until 2015. In recognition of his dedication to the cause, Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, awarded van Agt the Grand Star in the Order of Jerusalem in 2021.
Dries van Agt is survived by his children, Eugenie, Frans, and Caroline van Agt, as well as his grandchildren. Despite his political achievements, van Agt expressed regret for the time he spent away from his family during his ministerial and prime ministerial roles. He took great pride in his grandchildren, particularly one who pursued a career as a professional cyclist, a passion shared by van Agt himself.
The passing of Dries van Agt marks the end of an era for Dutch politics and the pro-Palestinian movement. His contributions and dedication to public service will be remembered and honored for years to come.
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– Dries van Agt, Former Dutch Prime Minister
– Former Dutch Prime Minister Dries van Agt.
