The Netherlands summoned Israel's ambassador on Monday to protest Israel's decision to revoke the diplomatic status of Dutch diplomats stationed in Ramallah, the Palestinian Authority seat.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced Sunday that Israel would withdraw diplomatic credentials from Dutch diplomats working in the West Bank. The diplomats have been ordered to return their documentation within seven days, after which their diplomatic immunities and rights granted by Israel will 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 Israeli territory. He said he would not allow moves intended to harm Israel, citing the Dutch ban on imports from West Bank settlements, to proceed without a response.
Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen expressed deep regret over Israel's decision, describing it as "unnecessary." A spokesperson for Berendsen said the minister was "deeply sorry for this unnecessary decision," and clarified that the Netherlands' decision to suspend imports of goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank "does not target Israel."
The Dutch government had earlier stated it regretted Israel's move. Berendsen announced the summons of the Israeli diplomat at a press conference in The Hague alongside German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, saying he wished to learn "the details of the measure" and discuss its "consequences."
The Israeli ambassador is scheduled to appear Tuesday at the Dutch Foreign Ministry in The Hague. The exact number of Dutch mission members affected by the status revocation remains unclear.
Israel characterized its action as a response to recent Dutch decisions, particularly the import ban on goods from Israeli settlements. The Netherlands implemented the ban on September 28, with enforcement to occur through normal luggage inspection procedures.
Sa'ar's announcement came after the Netherlands had taken steps to restrict trade from West Bank settlements, prompting the Israeli government's retaliatory measure against Dutch diplomatic personnel in the Palestinian territories.