Israel Orders Dutch Diplomats to Leave Ramallah Within a Week

Israeli Foreign Minister G Gideon Saar has ordered Dutch diplomats operating in Ramallah to return their Israeli-issued diplomatic documentation within seven days. Following this deadline, their granted immunities and rights will expire. This decision is a direct response to the Dutch government's recent actions against Israel, specifically a new order prohibiting the import and trade of products from Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights, which took effect last week.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry clarified that if the Netherlands wishes to continue representing its interests with the Palestinians, it can do so from the Palestinian Authority's territory, not from within Israel. This move follows a previous decision last month by Saar to expel the Dutch representation from the International Support Center for Gaza, located in Kiryat Gat.

These retaliatory measures are part of a series of responses from Israel towards the Netherlands. The Foreign Ministry emphasized that Israel will not ignore hostile actions aimed at harming it and will take reciprocal steps against any such attempts. "Any country that acts hostilely and unilaterally against Israel will lose its influence and relevance in the region," the ministry stated.

The ministry also highlighted the urgent need to address the escalating, open antisemitism and incitement in the Netherlands, asserting that the Dutch government's anti-Israel policies fuel this phenomenon. Relations between Israel and the Netherlands have deteriorated in recent months. The revocation of diplomatic status for Dutch representatives in Ramallah is expected to hinder the Netherlands' ability to operate with the Palestinian Authority via Israeli territory and serves as a clear message to other nations considering similar actions.