Netherlands bars Israeli mayors of West Bank settlements from taking part in Dutch study trip

[azurnoir]

An Israeli mayors group said Sunday that the Dutch government refused to let heads of West Bank settlements take part in a delegation of mayors in the Netherlands.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry said the government was not involved, and the decision to bar the settler mayors seemed to have been made solely by a group called the Association of Dutch Cities. Nonetheless, the barring of the settler mayors is part of a widening circle of protests against Israel over its settlement policy.

The Union of Local Authorities in Israel said 40 mayors planned a professional study trip to the Netherlands in October, but on Sunday the Union said its Dutch counterpart said the five settler mayors in the delegation could not take part.

In response, all 40 Israeli mayors cancelled their trips.

Union spokeswoman Linda Sasson said this program has taken place in various countries in the past, but this was the first time settler mayors have been barred.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gxBTTBwRR7Lke6NfokXIJ_fI8q3Q

[Turbineguy]

1. They've fallen far.

[snagglepuss]

2. Kudos to the Dutch. nt

[ilaughatrightwingers]

3. This is a good thing

Israel's settlements are illegal and immoral. If the Israelis had any morals they would go back to their pre-1967 borders immediately.

[proteus_lives]

5. Pre-67 borders?

Ah, yes. Suicide borders, I can believe that many would want that for Israel.

[proteus_lives]

4. I wonder if they would ban Hamas officials.

[Violet_Crumble]

6. Good decision and I hope those settler leaders are banned in other countries...

I wonder if the mayors from Israel cancelled their trip willingly or because they were pressured to by the Israeli govt? If it was willingly, shame on them for supporting the settlers...