Israel Joins Russia and Iran on Dutch National Threat List
Israel's descent into pariah status continues, as its own allies classify them as a threat.
In an unprecedented move, the Netherlands has formally named Israel as a threat to national security, placing it alongside countries like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea in its annual threat assessment. The report, released by the Dutch National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV), marks the first time Israel has appeared in such a capacity in any Dutch security document.
The designation stems not from military action or traditional espionage, but from what the NCTV describes as foreign influence operations, disinformation campaigns, and undue pressure on international institutions based in the Netherlands, particularly the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
According to the report, Israeli authorities have distributed documents and attempted to influence Dutch journalists and politicians outside of diplomatic channels, raising concerns about attempts to manipulate public discourse and policy through unofficial means. These activities, the NCTV notes, fall under a broader trend of state-sponsored information warfare, something it says has been escalating globally.
Israel's inclusion comes amid growing diplomatic strain over its ongoing assault on Gaza, with Dutch courts and public institutions facing pressure over arms exports and legal scrutiny of potential war crimes. The Netherlands, as the host country of the ICC, has found itself at the center of international legal tensions, particularly since ICC prosecutors announced investigations into Israeli officials.
Dutch security officials cite increasing efforts by foreign states to obstruct or undermine international legal proceedings as a direct threat to the Netherlands' constitutional order and democratic institutions. While similar accusations have been leveled at Russia and the U.S., the explicit naming of Israel signals a dramatic shift in Dutch policy.
"This is not about political disagreements," one security official told Dutch media. "It's about safeguarding democratic integrity and shielding the institutions that are fundamental to the international rule of law."
Israeli officials have not publicly responded to the report at the time of publication, but the move is likely to escalate tensions between The Hague and Jerusalem. In recent months, several European governments have grown increasingly critical of Israeli policy, especially in light of rising civilian casualties, ongoing settlement expansion, and defiance of international humanitarian norms.
The report's release comes as Dutch authorities weigh further restrictions on dual-use exports and military components, following a court order earlier this year to halt shipments of F-35 parts to Israel.
Human rights groups have praised the move as long overdue. "Acknowledging the influence and pressure campaigns being run out of Tel Aviv is a critical first step," said a spokesperson for the European Center for Democracy. "Too many governments have been unwilling to call it what it is. The Netherlands just did."
As Israel continues to face mounting international isolation, the inclusion in a European nation's official list of foreign threats may signal a broader shift in how its actions are perceived, not just morally or politically, but as a tangible threat to the legal and democratic order in countries far beyond its borders.