Dutch Foreign Minister Berendsen Regrets Israel’s Ramallah Diplomat Decision

Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen said Monday that he deeply regrets Israel’s decision to withdraw the diplomatic status of Dutch staff based in Ramallah, calling it unnecessary. Berendsen said he was consulting about the situation and that the diplomats were his first priority. He said the Netherlands’ temporary restriction on imports from Israeli settlements was not directed against Israel, describing it as an obligation under international law. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced the withdrawal Sunday after the Dutch import measure took effect and said the diplomats must return their Israeli-issued credentials within seven days.