Israel revokes diplomatic status of Dutch diplomats in Ramallah

Israel announced on Sunday, 27 September 2026, that it has withdrawn the diplomatic status of the Dutch diplomats representing the Netherlands to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah. The decision was presented by the Israeli Foreign Ministry as a direct response to Dutch import restrictions on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar wrote on social media that "Israel will not ignore measures intended to harm it." He ordered the Dutch diplomats stationed in Ramallah to return the diplomatic documents issued by Israeli authorities within seven days.

Details of the move and the Dutch ban

Sa'ar warned that, "After this deadline, the diplomatic privileges and immunities that the State of Israel has granted them will cease to apply." The Israeli statement frames the step as reciprocal retaliation for the Netherlands' ban, which targets goods produced in settlements and covers both personal luggage and commercial shipments.

The Dutch prohibition took effect on 22 September 2026. Dutch and Israeli media reported that passengers arriving from Israel at Amsterdam Schiphol airport have recently had baggage inspected to check for items falling under the ban.

Earlier in September, Israel ordered the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem — the mission representing the United Kingdom to the Palestinian Authority — after London announced a similar ban on settlement-made products. Israel has not taken comparable measures against France and Canada, both of which also announced bans on settlement goods.

In August, Israel had already restricted Dutch diplomats' access to a U.S.-led Gaza coordination center based in Israel, citing what it described at the time as "anti‑Israel measures." Sa'ar added that "Any country that acts hostilely and unilaterally against Israel will lose its influence and significance in the region."

Photo: press material from the event