Netherlands rebukes Israel over withdrawal of Dutch diplomats’ status

The Dutch government is considering its response after Israel ordered its diplomats in Ramallah to hand back their diplomatic documents in retaliation for a Dutch ban on goods from Israeli settlements. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced on Sunday that officials at the Netherlands Representative Office had seven days to return the documents, revoking their accreditation. Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen criticised the move as “unnecessary” and expressed regret over the decision. “Our temporary sanctions are not targeted against Israel, but stem from our obligation to not contribute to the unlawful situation ‌of the illegal settlements,” he said in a statement. International law prohibits Israeli settlements and outposts on occupied Palestinian land.