“They were looking for goods in the West Bank”: Israelis subject to searches at Amsterdam’s Schiph

Passengers arriving on a direct flight from Tel Aviv to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport said they were subject to unusual inspections after landing, according to the Dutch conservative website Nieuwsrecht.

There has been no official confirmation that Dutch authorities have started enforcing the law.

According to Nieuwsrecht, passengers arriving from Tel Aviv had to put their luggage through an X-ray machine.

“Why? We’ve already gone through extensive security checks in Tel Aviv, haven’t we?” » asked a passenger.

“We always do that on intercontinental flights,” a customs officer replied.

Passengers cited in the report, however, said inspections appeared to focus on wine, dates, olives and other products originating from East Jerusalem, the West Bank or the Golan Heights. Information about penalties for violating the new Dutch law was also posted on notice boards at the airport.

Passengers also complained about the treatment they received from Dutch customs officials.

According to a report in the local press, a passenger approached a customs officer and said: “Look, buddy, they’re from Israel. They don’t speak Dutch.”

The officer responded angrily and, according to testimony, yelled, “Shut up, shut up and wait.” »

Dudi, 82, who is due to fly from Tel Aviv to Amsterdam next week, reportedly said he was worried he would not get through customs without a problem.

“My blood is boiling,” he said. “Because that means the burden of proof is on the passenger. No receipt, no entry to the Netherlands. I was born during the war and had to hide. Jews were also marked and discriminated against then. Today it is happening again. They are marking us.”

The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, sharply criticized the Dutch measure in an article on

Huckabee called the situation “crazy” and called Holland’s conduct “an absolute scandal.”

The dispute comes as Israel took action against the Netherlands over the new law.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced on Sunday evening that Dutch diplomats operating in Ramallah would no longer be able to do so from Israeli territory.

“In light of the entry into force last week of an order prohibiting the importation and trade of products from Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, we have informed the Dutch Embassy in Israel this evening that Dutch diplomats stationed in Ramallah must return the diplomatic documents issued to them by Israel within seven days,” Sa’ar wrote.

He said that after this period, the immunities and privileges granted to them by Israel under this framework would expire.

“If the Netherlands wishes to continue representing its interests to the Palestinians, it can do so from the territory of the Palestinian Authority and not from the territory of the State of Israel,” Saar said.

Sa’ar also noted that last month, the activity of the Dutch representation at the International Gaza Support Center in Kiryat Gat was interrupted.