Israel Revokes Diplomatic Privileges for Dutch Representatives in Ramallah

In response to recent actions by the Dutch government against Israel, including a ban on imports and trade from the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights, Israel's Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi has ordered Dutch diplomats in Ramallah to return their diplomatic documentation within seven days. Following this period, their immunity and privileges granted by Israel will expire.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry clarified that if the Netherlands wishes to continue representing its interests with the Palestinians, it must do so from within the Palestinian Authority's territories and not from sovereign Israeli soil. This measure follows a previous decision last month by the Foreign Minister to remove the Dutch representation from the International Support Center for Gaza, located in Kiryat Gat, an order that has already been fully implemented.

Jerusalem issued a strong statement emphasizing that Israel will not ignore actions intended to harm it and will take decisive retaliatory steps against any such attempts. The statement warned that any country acting hostilely and unilaterally against Israel will lose its influence and relevance in the region.

Furthermore, Israel directly blames the Dutch government's conduct for the escalating antisemitism and incitement openly occurring in the Netherlands. Israeli diplomatic sources contend that not only are these issues not being adequately addressed by Dutch authorities, but the Dutch government's anti-Israel policies are, in fact, fueling them.