Israelis warned of 'lengthy, invasive' luggage checks in Netherlands over West Bank goods ban

The Foreign Ministry has warned Israelis planning to travel to the Netherlands that they may encounter "lengthy and invasive" luggage inspections following the sweeping implementation of new Dutch sanctions on Israeli goods imports.

The Foreign Ministry and the Israeli Embassy in The Hague said they are monitoring the situation and will update the public as developments unfold.

The ban took effect on September 22 and covers all Jewish-made goods originating in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights.

The prohibition additionally applies to goods that are only partially made or produced in the settlements (i.e., if one ingredient is from the area, even if the product was predominantly made in, say, Tel Aviv).

The product's purchase date has no bearing on the penalty, meaning the law effectively backdates to all purchases made before its implementation.

Sa’ar revokes credentials of Dutch diplomats in Ramallah

Israel has already taken responsive measures, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar revoking the credentials of all Dutch diplomats operating at the Netherlands Representative Office in Ramallah on Sunday.

Sa’ar ordered the diplomats to return their documentation to Israel within seven days of the announcement, at which time Israel-granted diplomatic immunities and rights 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.