Israel has withdrawn the diplomatic credentials of Dutch officials operating in the occupied West Bank, heightening tensions over the Netherlands’ recent restrictions on goods from Israeli settlements. According to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, the Dutch Embassy was notified that its diplomats in Ramallah have seven days to surrender their Israeli-issued diplomatic documents.
This action follows the Netherlands’ implementation of restrictions on September 22, targeting goods originating from Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Israel has consistently opposed such measures, criticizing countries that impose restrictions or take actions linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Sa’ar stated that Dutch officials could continue their activities in the West Bank if they obtain authorization from the Palestinian Authority. This development further strains Israel’s diplomatic relations with several European nations, which have expressed concerns over Israel’s settlement policies and the broader situation in Palestinian territories.
The revocation of diplomatic credentials is the latest episode in a series of disputes that reflect mounting diplomatic tensions between Israel and Europe over settlement policies. The move underscores Israel’s firm stance against international measures that it perceives as biased or punitive regarding its settlement activities.