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Netherlands Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen summoned Israel’s ambassador on Monday over Israel’s decision to revoke the diplomatic status of several employees of the Dutch mission in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
Berendsen announced the move at a joint news conference with visiting German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in The Hague, according to Dutch public broadcaster NOS.
The affected Dutch personnel have been ordered to leave Israel within seven days, the report said.
Dispute follows Dutch measures against Israel
Israel’s decision came after the Netherlands introduced measures against Israel, including a ban on imports of goods originating from illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and the Golan Heights.
Berendsen described the Israeli move as “unnecessary” and said he wanted Ambassador Zvi Aviner Vapni to provide clarification about the decision’s details and consequences.
The Israeli ambassador is expected to appear at the Dutch Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.
Previous summons
It was not the first time Berendsen had summoned Israel’s envoy, NOS reported. The ambassador was also called to the ministry in May over what the Netherlands described as the degrading treatment of activists aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla intercepted by Israel.
