Israel has revoked the diplomatic status of Dutch officials serving at the Netherlands’ Representative Office in Ramallah, escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries over Dutch measures targeting goods originating from Israeli settlements.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced the decision on Sunday, September 27, 2026, saying Dutch diplomats operating in Ramallah must return their Israeli-issued diplomatic credentials within seven days.
After the deadline, their diplomatic privileges and immunities granted by Israel will expire.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the measure was taken in response to what Israel considers unilateral and hostile actions by the Dutch government.
The decision followed the Netherlands’ implementation of a national ban on the import, purchase and sale of goods originating from Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories.
The Dutch measures took effect on September 22 and also prohibit services that facilitate trade in such goods.
The Netherlands has said the measures are intended to fulfil its obligations under international law and prevent the country from contributing to what its government describes as an unlawful situation involving Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories.
Israel, however, has responded with a series of diplomatic measures against countries imposing restrictions related to Israeli settlements.
Earlier this month, Israel announced the closure of the British Consulate in East Jerusalem after the United Kingdom introduced sanctions targeting settlement-produced goods.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the Dutch representatives could continue representing Dutch interests concerning the Palestinians from within territory administered by the Palestinian Authority, rather than operating from Israel under Israeli-issued diplomatic accreditation.
The latest move follows another Israeli decision in August to bar Dutch representatives from an international coordination centre for Gaza located in Israel.
The measures reflect growing diplomatic friction between Israel and several European governments over settlement policy and the war in Gaza.
The Netherlands has not immediately issued a public response to the latest Israeli decision, according to Reuters.
The development adds to mounting diplomatic tensions between Israel and European governments over Israeli settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, as several countries have introduced or considered trade and other restrictions concerning settlement activity.
