Foreign Affairs
Berendsen Summons Israeli Ambassador Over Expulsion of Diplomats
Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Brakker Berendsen summoned Israeli Ambassador Zvi Aviner Vapni to demand an explanation for Israel's decision to revoke the diplomatic status of several staff members at the Dutch mission in Ramallah. The ambassador must provide details on the measure, which requires the affected employees to leave within seven days. This action follows recent Dutch sanctions against Israel, including import bans on goods from illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights. Berendsen described the expulsion as unnecessary during a joint press conference with German counterpart Wadephul. The summons marks the second time this year that Berendsen has called in the Israeli ambassador, following a previous meeting regarding the treatment of activists aboard a flotilla intercepted by Israel en route to Gaza.
Ozetta summarises; the reporting is the newsroom's