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VOLUME 6: 1979-1980
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119. Foreign Ministry reaction to the transfer of the Dutch embassy from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, 26 August 1980.
Following the passage of Basic Law: Jerusalem, a number of governments issued statements condemning this measure. Among them were France, Germany and Holland. Turkey recalled its Charge d'Affaires home for consultations. After the passage of Security Council Resolution 478, all the foreign legations moved from Jerusalem to the Tel Aviv area. Holland also moved its Consulate General from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv. The Foreign Ministry expressed its regret in the following statement:
The Government of Israel has received the announcement regarding the transfer of the Embassy of the Netherlands from Jerusalem with deep sorrow and sadness. The Government expresses feelings of profound sympathy for the Government and people of the Netherlands who have bowed to unwarranted interference in their relationship with Israel. The relations between the Netherlands and Israel have been based on the solid foundations of mutual respect and deep friendship. The people of Israel will never forget the efforts made by innumerable Dutch women and men to save their fellow Jewish citizens during the years of Nazi occupation. It is, therefore, all the more sad for Israel to see such a brave and noble people being subjected to such cynical pressures as those that were brought to bear on the Netherlands by certain Arab states. The Government of Israel is convinced that yielding to such pressures is a great mistake, as numerous countries have learned to their cost in the past. Despite all attempts by Israel's adversaries to force the will of Israel's friends. Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and will always remain so. It has for time immemorial served as the religious, spiritual and cultural center of the Jewish people and will continue to do so in the future.
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