Netherlands Identifies Israel as Threat for First Time

(MENAFN) For the first time, the Dutch government has classified Israel as a potential threat to national security, as detailed in a newly published report by the Dutch National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV).

This significant update was disclosed in the agency’s latest assessment focused on the risks posed by foreign state actors.

The report, titled Assessment of Threats from State Actors, highlights that Israel has allegedly attempted to sway Dutch public sentiment and steer political decisions using "disinformation campaigns."

These efforts are seen as deliberate attempts to manipulate democratic processes within the Netherlands.

One particular episode referenced in the report involved an Israeli government ministry distributing a document through informal means to Dutch media professionals and lawmakers.

According to the assessment, the material included "unusual and unwanted personal details" about Dutch nationals.

This incident followed a demonstration in Amsterdam in support of the Maccabi Tel Aviv football team, which had already heightened political sensitivities.

The NCTV also drew attention to escalating pressures from both Israel and the United States on the International Criminal Court (ICC), headquartered in The Hague.

The report warns that such pressures could jeopardize the court's ability to function effectively.

Given its role as host to numerous global judicial bodies, the Netherlands was said to have a "special responsibility" to shield these institutions from foreign influence and interference.

While earlier statements from NCTV raised alarms over Israeli surveillance technology and spyware, the current report notably omits Israel from its section on espionage, focusing instead on its political and informational tactics.

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