The Netherlands has designated Israel as a national security threat for the first time, according to a new report from the Dutch National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV).
The report, called “Assessment of Threats from State Actors,” accuses Israel of running disinformation campaigns. These campaigns allegedly aim to manipulate Dutch public opinion and influence political decisions.
The report cites a specific incident where an Israeli ministry distributed a document to Dutch journalists and politicians through unofficial channels. The document reportedly contained unusual personal information about Dutch citizens.
This incident happened after tensions arose from a rally in Amsterdam supporting Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv. The team’s fan base has been linked to far-right groups and anti-Palestinian actions.
The Dutch report also expresses concern about increasing threats from Israel and the United States toward the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. Officials warn these pressures could undermine the court’s independence.
The Netherlands hosts several international legal institutions and sees itself as having a “special responsibility” to protect them from outside interference.
This designation represents a significant diplomatic shift. It signals that the Netherlands will not tolerate foreign interference in its domestic affairs, even from traditional allies.
The report focuses on political manipulation and pressure on international justice institutions rather than espionage activities.
Israel has not yet issued an official response to the security threat designation.
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