Itongadol.- Israel is asking the Dutch government to change the wording of an “insulting” travel advisory to the West Bank that besmirches an entire community by warning of sometimes violent “colonists,” a Foreign Ministry spoken said this week.
The advisory, appearing on the website of the Dutch central government regarding the the Palestinian Territories, reads, “There are security risks for traveling all over the West Bank including east Jerusalem.
In referencing violence by Palestinians, the text states: “Palestinians demonstrate regularly against occupation in various places,” adding that “these demonstrations sometimes involve violence. There are always Israeli soldiers present during demonstrations. Avoid demonstrations. Recently, there have been violent incidents in the border area between east and west Jerusalem. They are aimed at Israelis. Be alert in those areas and avoid public transportation.”
The warning also applies to the Gaza Strip, where Dutch nationals are advised not to go due to risk of being shot in fights among Islamist groups.
A Foreign minister spokesmen said that the embassy in the Hague has raised the issue of the wording of the advisory with senior officials in the Dutch Foreign Ministry and”emphasized the gravity of the matter.” The spokesman said the embassy will continue to monitor the situation in the hopes that it leads to a change of the text.