Israeli Ambassador to Netherlands Slams Ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich

Israel's Ambassador to the Netherlands, Tzvi Aviner Vapni, has publicly and unusually criticized Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. In an interview with the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, Vapni distanced himself from the ministers' remarks, stating he would not defend them. When asked about claims that Ben-Gvir justified starving two million Gazans and Smotrich called for killing 30 to 40 Palestinians nightly, Vapni refused to represent their positions. "They said things that I find shocking and unacceptable. I have no desire to defend them," he stated.

Vapni also strongly addressed violence by Jewish individuals in the West Bank, referring to them as "Jewish thugs and terrorists" whose place is in jail. He noted that among the 700,000 settlers, a few thousand are extremists. "Even among us, there are people we would prefer were not with us," he added, estimating that 80% of Israelis share his view. "This violence must stop. Their actions are worthy of all condemnation, and I have no intention of defending them."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet responded. These statements come amid tensions with the Netherlands, which officially announced last month it would not participate in Eurovision 2027 in protest of Israel's participation, following broadcasters AVSTROS and NPO forfeiting their right to represent the country.