The Netherlands announced on Monday that it was considering how to respond to Israel’s decision to withdraw the diplomatic status of its representatives to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, expressing deep regret over the move. The Dutch government stressed that its ban on importing Israeli settlement products was not directed at Israel.
Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen described the Israeli decision as “unnecessary”, explaining that his country was considering how to deal with it. He said the suspension of settlement-product imports was based on the Netherlands’ commitment not to contribute to what he described as the settlements’ unlawful status.
Israel sets deadline for handing over diplomatic documents
Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that Minister Gideon Sa’ar had informed the Dutch embassy that Dutch diplomats working in Ramallah must return their diplomatic documents issued by Israel within seven days. Once the deadline expires, their diplomatic privileges and immunities will be withdrawn.
Sa’ar said that if the Netherlands wanted to continue representing its interests with the Palestinians, it could do so from the territory of the Palestinian Authority. He added that Israel would respond to what he described as measures aimed at harming it. The Israeli move came after the Dutch ban on settlement products entered into force on 22 September.
Netherlands expands ban on settlement products
The Dutch government had announced the decision last July. It covers imported goods, including products found in personal luggage and souvenirs. It also provides for penalties against anyone found to have been involved in changing origin labels.
In August, Sa’ar had ordered the removal of Dutch diplomats from a special coordination centre for the Gaza Strip in Kiryat Gat in southern Israel, attributing the decision to what he described as “anti-Israel” Dutch measures. In an advisory opinion issued in July 2024, the International Court of Justice deemed Israel’s control of the Palestinian territories and the construction of settlements in the West Bank unlawful.
The court called on states to take steps to prevent trade or investment relations that contribute to the continuation of this situation. The Dutch move is part of broader Western efforts to restrict trade with the settlements. On 14 September, 12 Western countries announced their intention to impose restrictions on them, including France, Britain, Canada, Spain, Ireland, Norway and Sweden.
Earlier this month, Israel announced the closure of the British Consulate in East Jerusalem, which represents Britain to the Palestinian Authority, after London announced similar restrictions on importing goods from the settlements.
