Israeli Ambassador to Netherlands Summoned Home After Criticizing Ministers

Israel's Ambassador to the Netherlands, Tzvi Aviner Vapni, has been summoned to Israel for a clarification meeting following critical remarks he made about Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich in an interview with the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad. Vapni stated that the ministers had made "shocking and unacceptable" remarks, adding, "I have no desire to defend them." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the ambassador's immediate return for the review.

During the interview, Vapni was asked 17 questions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Responding to a question about "extremists" on the Israeli side, he said, "Even among us, there are people we would prefer were not with us." When pressed specifically about Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, and presented with claims that Ben-Gvir suggested starving Gaza's residents and Smotrich called for killing Gazans nightly, Vapni reiterated his refusal to defend their positions.

The ambassador also addressed the issue of Jewish settlers in the West Bank, whom the interviewer described as "frequently using violence against Palestinians." Vapni stated, "There are 700,000 people living in settlements, including a few thousand extremists. These are Jewish thugs and terrorists. All of them belong in jail." He expressed belief that "eighty percent of Israelis would agree" and that the violence must stop, calling their actions "deserving of all condemnation."

These statements come after the Netherlands officially announced its withdrawal from participating in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, in protest of Israel's participation. The Dutch broadcaster AVSTROS initially relinquished its right to represent the Netherlands, and the opportunity then passed to broadcaster NPO, which also declined.