Israel withdraws diplomatic privileges from Dutch representatives in Ramallah
Israel says Dutch diplomats representing the Netherlands to the Palestinian Authority must return their Israeli-issued documents within seven days. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar linked the move to Dutch restrictions on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank; the Dutch Foreign Ministry declined to comment.
Israel has revoked the diplomatic status of Dutch representatives to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, saying the decision responds to Dutch sanctions involving Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on social media that the diplomats must return their Israeli-issued diplomatic documents within seven days. Their diplomatic privileges and immunities are then due to expire.
Saar said countries taking what he described as hostile and unilateral action against Israel would lose influence and relevance in the region. The Dutch Foreign Ministry declined to comment, according to the supplied report. The Netherlands’ ban on imports of goods produced in settlements took effect the previous week.
Israel had already barred Dutch diplomats from a US-led coordination centre for Gaza in August, after Saar criticised what he called anti-Israel measures. Diplomats from several countries represent their governments to the Palestinian Authority from Ramallah while living in East Jerusalem. Israel has traditionally accredited those diplomats and granted them certain privileges under the Vienna Convention on diplomatic missions.
The move follows similar measures involving Britain. Israel earlier ordered the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem after London announced a ban on imports from settlements. France and Canada also announced such bans this month, although the report said Israel had not taken comparable action against them.
The decision comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government faces growing diplomatic pressure over its conduct in Gaza and the West Bank. Spain, Ireland and other countries have also announced restrictions on settlement goods, while several countries have sanctioned Israeli cabinet ministers. The report also said Netanyahu visited Abu Dhabi and met UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, although there was no immediate comment from either office.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.