Netherlands 'deeply regrets' Israel's decision to revoke diplomats' accreditation

The Netherlands has said it regretted Israel's decision to revoke the diplomatic accreditation of Dutch officials based in the occupied West Bank over the country's sanctions on goods from illegal Israeli settlements."I deeply regret this unnecessary decision," Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen said onMonday.Berendsen also said that the government was considering its response after Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced that Dutch diplomats have seven days to leave.Sa'ar argued the decision was taken in response to measures adopted by the Netherlands against Israel.The Dutch government introduced a ban last week on imports of goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.Berendsen said the measure was "not directed against Israel," and that the Netherlands has "an obligation under international law not to contribute to an unlawful situation: the illegal settlements.""We are currently considering the situation," Berendsen said, "with our diplomats naturally being a key priority right now."Illegal settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied territories has been on the rise for years.