Dutch Settlement Goods Ban

Analysis

The diplomatic rift between Israel and the Netherlands erupted when customs officials at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport began carrying out strict luggage inspections on Israeli passengers arriving on an El Al flight. The searches were conducted to enforce a Dutch ban on the entry of goods originating from settlements in the West Bank and the Golan Heights. The enforcement drew sharp criticism from US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who called the Dutch policy "crazy" and warned that it could lead to imprisonment merely for purchasing a souvenir in Bethlehem.

In response to the enforcement and the delays imposed on passengers, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar ordered the revocation of the diplomatic status of Dutch envoys operating in Ramallah. Under the order, the Dutch diplomats were instructed to return their Israeli-issued credentials within seven days. Concurrently, Israel's Foreign Ministry published an official advisory warning citizens traveling to the Netherlands of prolonged and invasive baggage searches upon arrival.

The diplomatic escalation continued with sharp exchanges between officials. Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen maintained that his country's total ban on imports from the West Bank was not directed against Israel. In response, Gilad Cohen, political director at the Israeli Foreign Ministry, denounced the ban on goods from the West Bank and the Golan Heights as outrageous and offensive, arguing that it harms all Israelis and warning that Jerusalem would respond to unilateral Dutch actions.

What to watch

• Expiration of the seven-day deadline for Dutch diplomats in Ramallah to return their Israeli documentation
• Further countermeasures threatened by Israel's Foreign Ministry in response to unilateral Dutch steps
• Continued enforcement of invasive baggage checks on Israelis arriving at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport

How it was covered

The story was covered by several Israeli and international outlets between September 27 and September 28. Initial reports on the customs searches at Schiphol were carried by The Jerusalem Post and Arutz Sheva, while US Ambassador Huckabee's criticism was reported by Maariv. The revocation of Dutch diplomatic status in Ramallah and the seven-day deadline were reported by JDN and Srugim. The travel advisory was reported by i24NEWS and The Jerusalem Post. Lastly, The Media Line was sole in reporting Dutch Foreign Minister Berendsen's assertion that the ban was not directed against Israel, alongside The Jerusalem Post's reporting of the response from Israeli Foreign Ministry official Gilad Cohen.