Israel Orders Dutch Representatives to Leave Within a Week

Tensions between Israel and the Netherlands are escalating: Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar decided today (Tuesday), on the advice of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to immediately remove Dutch representatives from the International Support Center for Gaza in Kiryat Gat. At the same time, the Dutch representatives were asked to leave Israel within a week.

The Foreign Ministry informed both the Dutch Embassy in Israel and the United States of the decision. The Israeli move follows a series of steps taken by the Dutch government. The latest measure that led to the intensified Israeli response was the passage of a law in the Netherlands banning trade in Israeli products originating in Judea and Samaria, eastern Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. The law is expected to take effect next month, but its impact is already beginning to be felt by businesses in the country.

For example, a kosher supermarket in Amsterdam informed its customers that beginning September 22, when the law takes effect, products originating in settlements will no longer be available on its shelves. Among the products mentioned by the supermarket were Achva and Abadi products, as well as wines from Yarden, Hermon, and Gamla.

The Israeli decision also comes just days after the Netherlands joined other countries in protesting planned construction in the E1 area. Earlier this week, the Netherlands, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Norway issued a joint statement condemning the Israeli government’s decision to publish a tender for the construction of 1,234 housing units in the area between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim. In their joint statement, the countries called on Israel to immediately reverse the move and to halt the expansion of settlements in the West Bank.