Israel has announced new diplomatic measures against the Netherlands following a Dutch decision to ban the import and sale of products originating from Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said the Dutch Embassy in Israel had been notified that Dutch diplomats working in Ramallah would have seven days to return diplomatic documents issued to them by Israel. According to Sa'ar, once the deadline expires, the immunities and privileges granted to the Dutch diplomats by Israel under their diplomatic status will no longer be valid.
The Israeli minister also referred to a decision taken by Israel last month to exclude the Dutch representation from the International Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Center for Gaza, which operates in Kiryat Gat. Sa'ar said that decision was also linked to what Israel considers actions taken by the Dutch government against the country. He reiterated that Israel would respond to steps it considers directed against it.
The latest dispute follows the Netherlands' implementation of restrictions targeting products from Israeli settlements. The Dutch government has said such measures are linked to its position on Israeli settlement activity in territories occupied since 1967. The Israeli government has strongly opposed such measures, describing them as unilateral actions against Israel.
Sa'ar also called for urgent action over what he described as increasing antisemitism and open incitement on the streets of the Netherlands. He argued that these manifestations were not receiving an adequate response and claimed that the Dutch government's policy toward Israel was contributing to their spread. The latest measures add to growing tensions between Israel and the Netherlands over the Dutch government's policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its approach to Israeli settlement activity.
Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.
By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper
Extract — continue reading at the source.
