Israel Protests Dutch Airport Searches Targeting Israeli Travelers

Israeli travelers arriving at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport are reporting stringent searches and humiliating treatment by customs officials following the implementation of a new Dutch law that prohibits the import and sale of goods from the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. Passengers arriving from Tel Aviv have described their luggage being re-scanned specifically to find products like wine, dates, and olives, items now subject to the new law which carries a penalty of up to six years in prison.

One traveler recounted an incident where a customs officer allegedly yelled at an Israeli, "Shut your f… mouths and wait." An 82-year-old Israeli named Dudi expressed outrage, comparing the situation to historical persecution of Jews, stating, "Jews were marked and discriminated against even then. Now it's happening again. They are marking us."

The incident has sparked international condemnation. U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Harkavy, strongly criticized the Dutch action on X, calling it "insane and a real scandal." In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced immediate retaliatory measures, including the cancellation of immunities and privileges for Dutch diplomats operating in Ramallah within seven days. These diplomats will no longer be permitted to operate from Israeli territory.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the Israeli government, attributing the searches to a diplomatic failure. "The fact that Israelis are landing in Holland and their bags are being rummaged through is a diplomatic failure unlike anything seen before," Lapid stated.