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World

Israel revokes Dutch diplomats' status over West Bank settlement import ban

Israel has revoked the diplomatic status of Dutch diplomats at the Netherlands' Representative Office in Ramallah, giving them seven days to return their Israeli-issued documents in retaliation for the Dutch import ban on goods from West Bank settlements.

By Sarah Whitfield · · 1 min read

Israel has revoked the diplomatic status of Dutch diplomats at the Netherlands’ Representative Office in Ramallah, the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday, in retaliation for the Dutch government’s ban on imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar informed the Dutch embassy that diplomats operating in Ramallah must return their Israeli-issued diplomatic documentation within seven days, after which their privileges and immunities expire. Writing on X, Saar said: “If the Netherlands wishes to continue representing its interests with the Palestinians, it may do so from Palestinian Authority territory, rather than from the territory of the State of Israel.”

Saar added that Israel would not ignore measures intended to harm it: “Any country that acts in a hostile and unilateral manner against Israel will lose influence and relevance in the region.”

The Dutch ban on the import, purchase and sale of goods from Israeli settlements entered into force on September 22. Last month, Israel removed the Dutch delegation from the International Support Center for Gaza in Kiryat Gat over what Saar described as anti-Israel measures.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry declined to comment. Israel has taken similar countermeasures against Britain, which announced sanctions on illegal settlements earlier this month, but has taken no action against France or Canada, which announced comparable measures.

Sources

More on this topic: all World stories

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