Israel Moves to Strip Dutch Diplomats' West Bank Status
Israel's Foreign Ministry said it will strip Dutch diplomats of status. This applies to diplomats in the occupied West Bank.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced the move on Sunday. Saar said it responds to Dutch bans on settlement goods.
He said diplomats have seven days to return their papers. Their Israeli-issued diplomatic privileges end after that period.
Saar said the Netherlands can still help Palestinians there. They can operate from Palestinian Authority territory instead.
The Netherlands recently began banning goods from Israeli settlements. The ban covers the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Golan Heights.
It also restricts sales and related trade services. Deutsche Welle called these measures sanctions on illegal settlement goods.
Klear Note — Accreditation officially recognizes diplomats for work in a host country.
Key Terms 5
- West Bank Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967.
- East Jerusalem Part of Jerusalem occupied by Israel, claimed by Palestinians.
- Golan Heights Territory Israel took from Syria, considered occupied by many countries.
- Palestinian Authority Palestinian government body that administers parts of the West Bank.
- diplomatic accreditation Official permission letting diplomats work in a foreign country.