Diplomatic action taken by the Dutch: Summoning of Israeli ambassador and imposition of travel restrictions on officials
The Netherlands has joined a growing list of countries imposing travel bans on two Israeli cabinet ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, over concerns about their alleged inflammatory statements and incitement to violence.
The Dutch government, in a letter published late on Monday, announced the travel bans, citing the ministers' repeated calls for "ethnic cleansing" of Palestinians in Gaza and their support for settlement expansion and harsh actions in the region amid reports of a humanitarian crisis.
The Dutch government described the situation in Gaza as "unbearable and indefensible" and has decided to summon Israel's ambassador to denounce the situation. The move aligns with similar restrictions from countries like Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway, reflecting growing European condemnation of Israeli government policies regarding Gaza.
The travel bans affect only ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, and the Dutch government's actions are not limited to this measure. The government is also prepared to push for European trade sanctions if Israel breaches its agreement with the EU on increasing aid supplies to Gaza.
Furthermore, the Dutch government supports the EU's recommendation to restrict Israeli access to its research funding program, with the aim of curbing Israeli access to EU funds, specifically the flagship research program. This decision follows similar moves by Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway, as part of a broader European response to Israel's actions.
In a statement, the Dutch government expressed its commitment to upholding international law and promoting peace and stability in the region, emphasising the importance of a negotiated solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
- The Dutch government's decision to ban the travel of Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich mirrors growing political condemnation, as seen in Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway, over Israel's policies towards Gaza in the context of war-and-conflicts and general-news.
- Amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and concerns about inflammatory statements, the Dutch government has aligned itself with the EU's recommendation to restrict Israeli access to research funding, aiming to promote peace and stability in the region through politics.
