Amsterdam, Sept. 28 (SANA) Israel said it would revoke the accreditation of Dutch diplomats representing the Netherlands at the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah after the Dutch government banned trade in goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Sunday that the diplomats must return their Israeli-issued diplomatic documents within seven days, when their privileges and immunities would expire. He said the Netherlands could continue representing its interests with the Palestinians from Palestinian Authority territory.
“I deeply regret this unnecessary decision,” Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen said Monday. He said the government was considering its response, with its diplomats a priority.
Berendsen said the restrictions were “not directed against Israel” but reflected the Netherlands’ obligation under international law not to contribute to what it considers the unlawful situation created by the settlements.
The Dutch measures took effect on September 22 and cover the import, purchase and sale of settlement goods, as well as services facilitating that trade, according to Al Jazeera.
Israel barred Dutch diplomats from a U.S.-led Gaza coordination center in August, citing Dutch measures it called anti-Israel. Earlier this month, it ordered the closure of the British Consulate in East Jerusalem after Britain announced a similar ban on goods from settlements.
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