Israel revokes credentials of Dutch diplomats in Ramallah over West Bank trade ban

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said on Sunday that Israel had revoked the credentials of Dutch diplomats in Ramallah in response to the Netherlands’ ban on goods from Israeli settlements.

"We informed the Dutch Embassy in Israel this evening that Dutch diplomats operating in Ramallah must return their Israeli-issued diplomatic documentation within seven days," Sa’ar said in a post on X, adding that after this period, the diplomatic privileges and immunities granted to them will expire.

"If the Netherlands wishes to continue representing its interests with the Palestinians, it may do so from Palestinian Authority territory, rather than from the territory of the State of Israel," Sa'ar said.

The announcement came after the Netherlands began enforcing a national ban on 22 September on the import, purchase and sale of goods from illegal Israeli settlements amid escalating violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

"The settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories are unlawful," the Dutch government said, adding that with these measures, "the Netherlands gives further substance to its international legal obligation not to contribute to this unlawful situation."

The decision followed similar measures taken by Ireland, Belgium, and Spain.

According to Israeli media outlet Calcalist, Israel’s Ministry of Economy and Industry plans to provide companies in illegal Israeli settlements with up to 200,000 shekels ($54,000) following the latest ban.

The ministry will also help them find “alternative markets”, including the Philippines, India, the United Arab Emirates, Chile and Argentina, the report said.