Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar revoked the credentials of all Dutch diplomats operating at the Netherlands Representative Office in Ramallah on Sunday, citing the Netherlands' adoption of anti-Israel policies as the reason for the move.
Sa’ar ordered all of the diplomats to return their documentation to Israel within seven days of the announcement, at which time diplomatic immunities and rights granted by Israel will expire.
“If the Netherlands wishes to continue representing its interests vis-à-vis the Palestinians, it may do so from the territory of the Palestinian Authority and not from the territory of the State of Israel,” Sa’ar stated.
He added that he would not allow moves intended to harm Israel, like the Dutch ban on imports from the West Bank, to go without a response.
Sa’ar claimed that the Dutch government, rather than addressing growing antisemitism in the Netherlands, is feeding into the problem with its anti-Israel policy.
In August, Sa’ar also expelled the Netherlands' representatives from Kiryat Gat’s International Support Center for Gaza due to the import ban.
“Our message is clear: Those who act against Israel will have no foothold in the region. Israel will not allow measures to be taken against it without a response,” Sa’ar said at the time.
West Bank goods ban implemented on September 22
The ban on the import of West Bank goods went into effect on September 22 and extends to all products brought into the Netherlands.
Goods partially made in the West Bank, Golan Heights, or east Jerusalem are also prohibited, even if most of the components are produced elsewhere.
Those found to have intentionally violated the prohibition may receive up to six years in prison or a large fine, while unintentional violations may be punished by up to one year in prison.
Mathilda Heller contributed to this report.