Israel Summons Ambassador to Netherlands Over Criticism of Ministers
Israeli Ambassador to the Netherlands Zvi Aviner Vapni was summoned to Jerusalem for a reprimand after criticizing Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich in a Dutch newspaper interview.
Israeli Ambassador to the Netherlands Zvi Aviner Vapni has been summoned back to Israel for an urgent reprimand following controversial remarks he made in a Dutch media interview regarding senior government ministers and West Bank settlers.
In an interview with the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad titled "17 Hard Questions for the Israeli Ambassador," which he also shared on social media platform X, Vapni strongly criticized National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. When the interviewer asked if he included the two right-wing ministers among extremists who should be marginalized, Vapni replied: "Definitely. They said things that I find terrible and unacceptable. I feel no need to defend them."
Addressing the situation in the West Bank, Vapni distinguished between the general settler population and violent elements, stating that among the 300,000 residents, there are "several thousand extremists, thugs, and Jewish terrorists who all belong in prison." He added that he believes 80% of Israelis share this view and that such violence must be stopped.
Following the publication of these remarks, the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem took the unusual step of summoning the ambassador for an immediate disciplinary clarification meeting in Israel.
