Israel has ordered Dutch diplomats based in the occupied West Bank to surrender their diplomatic privileges, escalating tensions between the two countries over Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory.
Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen said he regretted the decision and announced that the Israeli ambassador would be summoned to discuss the measures and their impact on Dutch diplomats. The affected officials have been given seven days to leave, while the Netherlands assesses the full scope of the measures.
The move followed a Dutch decision to restrict imports of products originating from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Berendsen said the measure was not directed against Israel but reflected the Netherlands’ obligations under international law concerning what it considers an unlawful settlement situation.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar defended the decision, saying countries adopting what Israel considers hostile and one-sided policies would lose influence in the region. He said the Netherlands could continue representing its interests concerning Palestinians from areas under the Palestinian Authority rather than from Israeli territory.
Israel controls access points to the West Bank and has authority over diplomatic accreditation in the Palestinian territories under arrangements established through the Oslo peace process.
The Palestinian Authority condemned Israel’s decision, accusing it of attempting to reduce the international diplomatic presence in the Palestinian territories. It said Dutch diplomats remained welcome in the occupied Palestinian territory and argued that Israel does not have sovereignty over the West Bank.
The Netherlands introduced its settlement-related measures in July amid growing international concern over attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and discussions among Israeli politicians about possible annexation of parts of the West Bank.
Britain, France and Canada also announced measures targeting trade linked to Israeli settlements in September. Israel subsequently ordered the closure of the British consulate in Jerusalem.
The dispute comes ahead of Israel’s October 27 elections, with opposition leader Yair Lapid criticising the government’s handling of relations with European countries. He described the developments as a diplomatic failure and called for changes in Israel’s diplomatic approach.
According to United Nations data, Israeli settlers carried out an average of six attacks per day against Palestinians and Palestinian property in the West Bank during 2026.
Violence has also involved Palestinian attacks against Israelis, including the killing of an Israeli settler and a car-ramming incident that seriously injured the son of Israel’s ambassador to Washington.
