Israel Recalls Envoy to Netherlands Over 'Jewish Terrorists' Remark

Israel's Foreign Ministry summoned its ambassador to the Netherlands, Zvi Aviner Vapni, back to Israel on Wednesday, November 11, for explanations regarding his recent media statements. In an interview with the newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, Vapni sharply criticized Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, and referred to some settlers in Judea and Samaria as "hooligans and Jewish terrorists." When asked by the journalist if he considered Ben-Gvir and Smotrich extremists that Israel should get rid of, Vapni responded affirmatively. "They said things that I find terrible and unacceptable. I see no need to defend them," he stated. Regarding settler violence against Palestinians, Vapni estimated that it involved a few thousand extremists among the 300,000 settlers. He asserted that those involved in violence should be imprisoned, believing that 80% of Israelis agree with this sentiment. "This violence must stop," he declared. The interview was published under the headline "17 Sharp Questions for the Israeli Ambassador" and Vapni shared it on his X page.