JERUSALEM (JTA) — The Netherlands canceled a visit by Israeli mayors because the group included the leaders of West Bank settlements.
Participants in the delegation, sponsored by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, included the heads of 30 small local councils, including several Arab communities. West Bank communities represented on the delegation include Kiryat Arba, Oranit, Beit El, Elkana and Efrat.
The Dutch Foreign Ministry postponed the trip on Sunday after asking for a list of participating mayors and calling it controversial. The JDC-Israel told Ynet that postponing the trip is akin to canceling it.
The Netherlands, a member of the European Union, supports a continuation of the construction freeze in the West Bank, in line with the EU’s official stance.
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