Key facts
- Israel revoked the credentials of Dutch diplomats in Ramallah.
- Dutch diplomats must return their Israeli-issued documentation within seven days.
- The Netherlands banned goods from Israeli settlements starting September 22.
- The Dutch government cited international legal obligations for the ban.
- Similar measures were taken by Ireland, Belgium, and Spain.
- Israel's Ministry of Economy and Industry plans to provide financial aid to affected settlement companies.
Israel has revoked the diplomatic credentials of Dutch diplomats operating in Ramallah in response to the Netherlands' decision to ban goods from Israeli settlements. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced on Sunday that the Dutch Embassy in Israel had been informed that Dutch diplomats in Ramallah must return their Israeli-issued diplomatic documentation within seven days, after which their privileges and immunities would expire. Sa’ar stated that if the Netherlands wishes to continue representing its interests with the Palestinians, it may do so from Palestinian Authority territory rather than from Israel.
The Dutch government began enforcing a national ban on September 22 on the import, purchase, and sale of goods from illegal Israeli settlements, citing escalating violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The government asserted that settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories are unlawful and that the ban gives further substance to its international legal obligation not to contribute to this unlawful situation. Similar measures have been adopted by Ireland, Belgium, and Spain.
According to Israeli media outlet Calcalist, Israel’s Ministry of Economy and Industry plans to provide companies in illegal Israeli settlements with up to 200,000 shekels ($54,000) in aid following the ban. The ministry also intends to assist these companies in finding alternative markets, including the Philippines, India, the United Arab Emirates, Chile, and Argentina.