Israel Strips Dutch Diplomats of Status
Move follows a Dutch ban on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank
Jerusalem: Israel has revoked the diplomatic status of Dutch diplomats based at the Netherlands Representative Office in Ramallah, escalating a dispute over Dutch restrictions on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Dutch diplomats in Ramallah must return their Israeli-issued diplomatic documents within seven days. Their diplomatic privileges and immunities will then expire, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
The decision came after the Netherlands introduced a ban on importing, buying and selling goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. The measure took effect on September 22.
Saar said the Netherlands could continue dealing with Palestinian authorities from the Palestinian Authority territory rather than through Israel. Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen said the decision was unnecessary and that the Netherlands was considering its response.
Israel had also barred Dutch officials from a Gaza coordination centre in August following earlier Dutch measures. France and Canada have announced similar restrictions on settlement goods, but Israel has not taken comparable action against them so far.
