Israel Orders Dutch Diplomats to Leave Within 7 Days

Israel's Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa'ar, 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 originating from Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights, which took effect last week.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated 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 Sa'ar to expel the Dutch representative office from an international support center for Gaza located in Kiryat Gat.

The Foreign Ministry emphasized that Israel will not ignore hostile actions aimed at harming it and will implement retaliatory measures 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. Israel also highlighted the urgent need to address rising antisemitism and incitement in the Netherlands, asserting that the Dutch government's anti-Israel policies exacerbate this problem.

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 through Israeli territory and serves as a clear message to other nations contemplating similar measures.