Israel gives Dutch diplomats seven days to return documents — Anadolu Agency

Israel has given Dutch diplomats working in Ramallah in the West Bank seven days to return diplomatic documents issued by Israel. After this deadline expires, the diplomatic privileges and immunities granted by Israel to these diplomats will cease to apply, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said.

Response to the trade ban

As Anadolu Agency reports, the Embassy of the Netherlands in Israel was informed of this decision on the evening of September 27. Saar linked it to the Netherlands' ban on the import, purchase and sale of goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The Dutch measure took effect on September 22. According to the Dutch government, it applies to goods from settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and also bans services that facilitate such trade. Saar said that the Netherlands can represent its interests in relations with Palestinians from the territory of the Palestinian Authority.

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Previous steps and international position

The minister also said that last month Israel excluded the Dutch delegation from the international Gaza support center in Kiryat Gat after other measures by the Dutch government regarding Israel. Dutch authorities did not immediately comment on Israel's new decision.

On September 14, 12 states, including France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark and Sweden, announced their intention to introduce trade restrictions on Israeli settlements. They also called on Israel to immediately stop settlement expansion and settler violence. The UN has repeatedly stressed that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are illegal under international law.