Retaliation from Israel for sanctions against Dutch diplomats

Israel took diplomatic retaliation against the Netherlands, which decided to impose sanctions on Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The Tel Aviv administration announced that it canceled the diplomatic status of Dutch diplomats serving with the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, in his statement on the X account, stated that Dutch diplomats working in Ramallah must return the diplomatic documents given by the Israeli authorities within seven days.

Saar stated that diplomatic privileges and immunities will end at the end of this period and said, "Any country that acts hostilely and unilaterally against Israel will lose its influence and weight in the region."

According to the news of Reuters agency, Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen stated in his statement today that they regretted this "unnecessary" decision and that he was evaluating the response of the Netherlands.

In his statement, Berendsen said, "Our temporary sanctions do not target Israel; they arise from our obligation not to contribute to the unlawful situation created by illegal settlements."

The Dutch decision banning the import of goods produced in settlements came into force last week. Israel has recently been taking harsh measures against other countries that have taken similar steps.

After the London administration banned the import of goods from the settlements, the Tel Aviv administration ordered the closure of the British Consulate in East Jerusalem, which is the British representation in the Palestinian Authority, at the beginning of this month.

Diplomats from many countries, including the Netherlands, represent their governments before the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah while residing in East Jerusalem.

Israel has historically been accrediting these diplomats and providing them with certain privileges granted to diplomatic missions under the Vienna Convention.

In August, Israel banned Dutch diplomats from entering the Gaza coordination center, which is located in Israel and operates under the leadership of the USA, due to policies that the Foreign Minister described as "anti-Israeli measures".

The right-wing coalition government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has entered a period of diplomatic isolation with many of its traditional allies due to the policies it has pursued in Gaza and the West Bank in recent years.

While two senior ministers in the cabinet were put on the sanctions list by many countries, Spain, Ireland and other countries also announced a ban on goods coming from settlements.

France and Canada this month joined the UK in banning settlement products; However, Israel has not yet taken any steps against these two countries.