The Netherlands expressed regret on Monday over Israel's decision to revoke the credentials of Dutch diplomats stationed in the West Bank. This decision is the latest response from Israel to the increasing pressure from Western countries regarding the issue of settlements.
Netherlands' reaction to Israel's decision
Israel, which has occupied the West Bank since 1967 and controls the entry of diplomats into this Palestinian territory, instructed Dutch officials on Monday to relinquish their diplomatic privileges. Tom Berendsen, the Dutch Foreign Minister, stated: "I strongly regret this unnecessary decision."
Netherlands' sanctions and Israel's response
Israel's decision to revoke the credentials of Dutch diplomats came after Dutch officials implemented a ban on the import of any products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Berendsen, in statements after meeting with his German counterpart, Joachim Wadephul, told reporters that he intends to summon the Israeli ambassador to discuss the details of these actions and their impact on the Dutch diplomats who must leave the country within seven days.
The Dutch Foreign Minister added that Dutch officials are still assessing the number of diplomats affected by these sanctions. He emphasized that the decision to impose sanctions was "not against Israel" but rather "a commitment under international law that should not support an illegal situation: illegal settlements."
Gideon Sa'ar, Israel's Foreign Minister, emphasized on Sunday when announcing this decision: "Any country that acts hostilely and unilaterally against Israel will lose its influence and importance in the region." He added: "If the Netherlands wishes to represent its interests regarding the Palestinians, it can do so from Palestinian territory and not from the territory of the State of Israel."
Palestinian reaction
The Palestinian government condemned this action, stating that Israel is attempting to "reduce international and diplomatic presence in Palestine so it can commit its crimes without witnesses." The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that Dutch diplomats are welcome in the occupied Palestinian territory and that Israel has no sovereignty over any part of Palestinian land.
The Dutch government imposed sanctions in July due to the increase in attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians and statements by Israeli politicians regarding the formal annexation of these territories. Britain, France, and Canada also announced in early September that they would impose sanctions on trade from Israeli settlements.
Israel responded to these sanctions by ordering the closure of the British consulate in Jerusalem. Ahead of the Israeli elections on October 27, Yair Lapid, an opposition politician and former Prime Minister, stated that Benjamin Netanyahu is responsible for this "anti-Israel wave." He said: "The fact that Israelis traveling to the Netherlands are being inspected and settlement products are being confiscated is an unprecedented diplomatic failure." Lapid promised to improve diplomacy but did not mention any changes to settlement policies.
The United Nations has stated that extremist settlers carry out an average of six attacks daily on Palestinians and Palestinian property in the West Bank in 2026. Palestinians have also attacked Israelis, with one Palestinian killing a settler last week and a car attack severely injuring the son of the Israeli ambassador in Washington.
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