Israel Revokes Credentials of Dutch Diplomats in Ramallah, Palestinian Territories

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar revoked the credentials of all Dutch diplomats working at the Netherlands Representative Office in Ramallah on Sunday, citing the Netherlands’ adoption of anti-Israel policies as the reason. Sa’ar ordered the diplomats to return their documentation to Israel within seven days of the announcement, at which point their diplomatic immunities and rights granted by Israel will expire.

In his statement, Sa’ar said: “If the Netherlands wishes to continue representing its interests vis-à-vis the Palestinians, it may do so from the territory of the Palestinian Authority and not from the territory of the State of Israel.” He added that he would not allow moves intended to harm Israel, such as the Dutch ban on imports from the West Bank, to go without a response.

Sa’ar also claimed that the Dutch government, rather than addressing growing antisemitism in the Netherlands, is feeding into the problem with its anti-Israel policy. He made that charge in the same period in which his government has pressed its objections to the import ban, a point that calls for careful speech about hostility and its consequences (Ephesians 4:15).

The source reports that in August, Sa’ar expelled the Netherlands’ representatives from Kiryat Gat’s International Support Center for Gaza because of the import ban. At that time, he said: “Our message is clear: Those who act against Israel will have no foothold in the region. Israel will not allow measures to be taken against it without a response.”

The Dutch ban on the import of West Bank goods went into effect on September 22 and extends to all products brought into the Netherlands. Goods partially made in the West Bank, the Golan Heights, or East Jerusalem are also prohibited, even if most of their components are produced elsewhere.

According to the report, people found to have intentionally violated the prohibition may receive up to six years in prison or a large fine, while unintentional violations may be punished by up to one year in prison.

Source: Read the original report