Israel Moves Against Dutch Diplomats After Settlement Goods Ban Takes Effect

Israel has ordered Dutch diplomats working in Ramallah to surrender their Israeli-issued diplomatic credentials within seven days, following the Netherlands’ implementation of restrictions targeting goods from Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that the diplomats’ privileges and immunities granted by Israel will end once the seven-day period expires.

“If the Netherlands wishes to continue representing its interests with the Palestinians,” Sa’ar wrote in his statement, “it may do so from Palestinian Authority territory, rather than from the territory of the State of Israel.”

“Israel will not ignore measures intended to harm it,” Sa’ar continued. “Any country that acts in a hostile and unilateral manner against Israel will lose influence and relevance in the region.”

Sa’ar also criticized the Dutch government over what he described as inadequate action against “growing antisemitism and incitement” in the Netherlands. He further argued that the country’s “anti-Israel policies” were contributing to the problem.

“It’s a dramatic step,” said an Israeli official of Sa’ar’s announcement.

The decision does not require the Dutch diplomatic mission to close. However, the loss of Israeli-issued privileges would restrict the diplomats’ ability to travel freely throughout Judea and Samaria and could potentially leave them vulnerable to prosecution if they meet with Palestinians accused of involvement in terrorism.

Israel’s announcement came only days after the Netherlands began enforcing its new restrictions on settlement-related goods.

Dutch customs officials reportedly inspected the luggage of passengers arriving in Amsterdam on an El Al flight from Tel Aviv, looking for items originating in Judean and Samarian settlements or the Golan Heights.

The restrictions, which took effect September 22, prohibit goods that Dutch authorities classify as originating from or produced wholly or partly in Israeli settlements they consider unlawful. The measure covers both commercial imports and items carried by individual travelers as souvenirs or gifts. Dutch officials have emphasized that products bought or manufactured inside Israel’s internationally recognized borders are not covered by the restrictions.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned the Dutch policy on X following reports of the baggage inspections, describing the situation as “insane.”

“There were some people from Netherlands in our church this morning who are flying back tomorrow & have to check their souvenirs to make sure they aren’t from Judea/Samaria — possible 6 yr prison term,” Huckabee wrote, adding, “A Nativity set from Bethlehem could put you in prison! Insane!”

The Dutch restrictions, however, would apparently not apply to a Nativity set purchased in Bethlehem, since Bethlehem is a Palestinian city rather than an Israeli settlement. The six-year prison sentence referenced by Huckabee represents the maximum penalty for an intentional violation of the sanctions, rather than a punishment ordinarily expected to be imposed on tourists.

Sunday’s action represents another Israeli response to the Netherlands’ settlement-related policy. In late August, Sa’ar removed Dutch representatives from the US-backed international Gaza coordination center in Kiryat Gat, pointing to what he described as a series of “anti-Israel measures” adopted by the Dutch government, including its planned restrictions on settlement imports. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved that decision.

The diplomatic dispute is unfolding as several European governments take additional steps targeting economic activity connected to Israeli settlements.

On September 8, Britain announced plans to prohibit imports from Judean and Samarian settlements as part of a broader sanctions package. The proposed measures would also target companies and individuals involved in settlement expansion and impose restrictions on certain exports considered supportive of Israel’s presence in Judea and Samaria

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the measures reflected the British government’s position that Israeli settlements and the occupation violate international law.

Following Miliband’s announcement, the leaders of Britain, France and Canada issued a joint statement saying they would “take steps to ban the importation of goods from settlements and enforce targeted measures against settlements and those who facilitate them or profit from them.”