In reaction to the Dutch government’s restriction on imports of goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, Israel’s foreign ministry said on Sunday that it has removed the diplomatic status of Dutch diplomats stationed at the Netherlands’ Representative Office in Ramallah. It stated that the Dutch diplomats’ diplomatic credentials will expire in seven days.
The Dutch government declared on September 22 that it will prohibit imports from Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory. The Netherlands has joined Ireland, Belgium, and Spain as European Union nations that have restricted trade with Israeli-occupied regions.
According to international law, Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful. And the Dutch foreign ministry stated: “With the proposed measures, the Netherlands is reinforcing its commitment to fulfilling its international legal obligation not to contribute to this unlawful situation.” According to the ministry, “the import, purchase, and sale of goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements located in the Palestinian territories” will be prohibited.
Over 500,000 settlers and almost three million Palestinians currently reside in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967. Since the Gaza War broke out following the Hamas strikes on Israel on October 7, 2023, there has been an upsurge in violence on the West Bank.
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