The Dutch government on Monday said it had summoned Israel's ambassador in the Netherlands to protest against Israel's decision to revoke the diplomatic status of Dutch diplomats at the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority.
The Netherlands had earlier said it regretted Israel's move, which it called "unnecessary."
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Sunday ordered all of the diplomats to return their documentation to Israel within seven days of the announcement, at which time diplomatic immunities and rights granted by Israel will expire.
“If the Netherlands wishes to continue representing its interests vis-à-vis the Palestinians, it may do so from the territory of the Palestinian Authority and not from the territory of the State of Israel,” Sa’ar stated.
He added that he would not allow moves intended to harm Israel, like the Dutch ban on imports from the West Bank, to go without a response.
Ban to be enforced through normal luggage inspection procedures
After the ban took effect on September 22, the Foreign Ministry warned Israelis planning to travel to the Netherlands that they may face "lengthy and invasive" luggage inspections.
A spokesperson for Dutch customs, Oscar van Elferen, told The Jerusalem Post the sanctions will be enforced in the same manner as all other inspections.
"Customs determines what and when to inspect based on risk analysis and random checks. We cannot and do not need to inspect every flight. Enforcement of this sanctions measure is no different in that respect," he said.
Mathilda Heller and Goldie Katz contributed to this report.