Israel revokes diplomatic status of Dutch envoys over West Bank settlement sanctions

Israel has revoked the diplomatic status of Dutch diplomats representing the Netherlands with the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah after the Netherlands brought in a ban on settlement goods. The move sharpens a wider dispute as more countries impose restrictions linked to Israeli settlements.

In Short

• Dutch diplomats must return Israeli-issued documents within seven days, Saar said
• Their diplomatic privileges and immunities will lapse once the deadline expires
• The Dutch foreign ministry declined comment on Israel's latest decision

Israel on Sunday revoked the diplomatic status of Dutch diplomats representing the Netherlands with the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, escalating tensions after the Netherlands imposed sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the Dutch diplomats must return their Israeli-issued diplomatic documents within seven days. Their diplomatic privileges and immunities will expire after the deadline.

"Any country that acts in a hostile and unilateral manner against Israel will lose influence and relevance in the region," Saar said in a post on X.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry declined to comment. The Netherlands' ban on imports of goods produced in Israeli settlements came into effect last week.

The move follows a series of diplomatic measures by Israel against countries imposing restrictions over settlement activity. Earlier this month, Israel ordered the closure of the British Consulate in East Jerusalem after Britain announced a ban on imports from Israeli settlements.

Israel had also barred Dutch diplomats from a US-led coordination centre for Gaza in August, with Saar citing what he described as "anti-Israel measures".

Several countries maintain diplomatic representatives to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah while their diplomats are based in East Jerusalem. Israel has traditionally accredited these diplomats and granted them certain privileges under the Vienna Convention.

France and Canada also announced bans on goods from Israeli settlements this month, although Israel has not announced similar measures against those countries.

The diplomatic dispute comes amid growing international criticism of Israel's policies in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Spain, Ireland and other countries have also announced restrictions on settlement-origin goods, while several countries have imposed sanctions on two Israeli cabinet ministers.

- Ends