Israel Expels Dutch Diplomats from West Bank Over Settlement Product Ban
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Israel has ordered Dutch diplomats stationed in Ramallah, who are engaged in activities with the Palestinian Authority, to return their issued diplomatic documents within seven days. Following the expiration of this deadline, the “granted privileges and diplomatic immunities” will be revoked.
This decision by Israel was made after the Dutch government prohibited the import and sale of products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. This ban came into effect on September 22, 2026.
In August, Israel also expelled Dutch diplomats from a special coordination center in Gaza, which was under U.S. leadership and located in the occupied territories. Gideon Sa’ar, the Israeli Foreign Minister, stated this action was in response to what he termed “anti-Israeli measures,” which included the Dutch ban on Israeli settlement products.
The Netherlands, like several other countries, maintains diplomats accredited to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, residing in East Jerusalem. However, Israel typically issues limited accreditation documents and diplomatic privileges to them.
France and Canada joined the United Kingdom this month in announcing bans on goods originating from Israeli settlements. Spain, Ireland, and several other nations had previously reported prohibitions on the import of such goods.
